Drafting and Planning: Preliminary Task

From doing this task I have learnt that my brother is a good model

Magazine double page spread- Similar designs

This is a double page spread from the music magazine Q, in which Liam Gallagher is interviewed. The layout of this magazine is a layout used often, in which the main image takes up the whole of the double page. On the left hand side there is a quote in huge writing with a headline underneath, then the actual writing. On the other side the main part of the image is shown, with a secondary image of Liam's former band Oasis, and a quote from Liam. The image and that quote immediately jump out at you, because Liam is looking cool as ever, and the quote is very funny, and also having a jab at his brother Noel. The writing is placed on the left hand side because of Liam being on the right side. I like the idea of a second image and a quote away from the actual text. The fonts used are simple fonts, like in literally every magazine, which tells me I should use a simple font. I like the use of the big 'B' and 'S' and might use something similar in my work. The image itself is brilliant, possibly just because it has Liam Gallagher in it, However the props used are great and Liam is dressed fantastically. The colours are great as well. 

Magazine double page spread similar designs

I have seen this NME double page spread about Graham Coxon, the lead guitarist in Blur. The layout of this magazine is extremely effective as half of it is taken up by a picture of Graham. The image is a close up of him. on the other side of the double page spread there is a huge quote of something he says during the interview. This quote is a very notable one and a funny one, which I think is a good idea as it really draws the attention of the reader and makes them want to read exactly what Coxon has to say. There is a headline underneath about what he actually talks about in the interview, then the actual text. I think this is a good design, as the image is powerful and so is the quote, but I think I may want to use more than one image. I think the font of the quote is great because its bold and a bit funky, but also really clear. The rest of the font is fairly plain. I think I will keep my fonts fairly simple. The actual image is really effective, as he is looking straight at the camera and he is right up in your face which I really like, I think this is a really good shot type to use. The colour scheme is very plain, a white/grey colour, contrasting with the image and the colourful clothes. I think this is great. I love this double spread.

Drafting and Planning- NME Creative Task

During this creative task, I produced my own NME magazine front cover, with a picture chosen by our teacher, Mr Stevens. Paint.net was the first program used, in which I moved the image and masthead, and arranged them to make a suitable structure for a magazine. I then imported this onto a publisher document. Next, I added a suitable main cover line, two other cover lines, a bar code and dateline, and a pug. I think this was quite simple to complete, as I have done it all previously at GCSE. I think it is a good idea to do most of the designing on publisher as it is a easier process, and I feel less likely to make an error.  
To improve this cover I could have made the cover lines closer together and without the bullet points. The pug could also not look so ridiculous, and I could have more detail, as there is negative space. 

By doing this task, I learnt more about the conventions of a magazine front cover. I learnt how to use cover lines and pugs effectively.

Research into Similar Products: Analysis of Contents page 2

This contents page is very different to the one I analysed previously, as it is more of a typical NME design. There is the big image of Adele. It is a close up and she is looking at the camera. There is a smaller image underneath of Alex Turner and Miles Kane, who are The Last Shadow Puppets. They are also looking straight at the camera. These images show they are the two main acts in the magazine. The red and black are the traditional colours of the NME magazine. Along the side, there are all the other stories in the magazine shown, the ones that would attract less attention from readers. They are in a much smaller font, The image and font of Adele is much larger, showing she is the real focus point of the magazine. 

Research into Similar Products: Analysis of Contents page 1

This is a contents page for the magazine NME. It clearly states in big letters at the top this page is about what is in the magazine that week. The layout of the contents page is an image and page number, with a quote or piece of information about what is on that page. The is a range of photos of the people who star in the magazine, including Damon. The fonts are simple and easy to read and in black. For each different article in the magazine, a different font is used. 

Analysis of Magazine front covers/ Similar Products

Drafting and Planning: Final pictures for school magazine

I think these are the 2 images that I will use for my school magazine. They are of my younger brother Greg. They are both medium close ups. I think this is a good idea for a school magazine.

Research into similar products: Blur analysis

Drafting and Planning: Ideas for Contents page

Drafting and Planning: Draft ideas for school magazine

This is my draft idea for my school magazine. As you can probably tell, drawing isn't my strong point, but I think I got the general message across.  

Drafting and Planning: Pictures for school magazine

These photos are some I may choose to use for my school magazine. They are of my 2 younger brothers in their school uniform. I am undecided whether to just use one of them or both of them. 

Research into Similar Products: Analysis of Q and NME

Both Q and NME have a similar style, which is a style I like and think i will do something that is fairly similar, but not too similar as I want my magazine to be original. I know it will be hard work to get a design similar to Q or NME, but with the right picture I think I can do it

Research into Similar Products: Analysis of front cover

Here is an example of Q magazine, which, like NME uses the colours red and black. These colours are used by many magazines that look good. I love the picture and how Ian Brown is standing and the front, and the rest of the band is behind him, signifying him as the lead singer. I may use a similar photo technique on my magazine. It also has several little pieces of information in the magazine around, which is a good idea. The fact that 'untold' is underlined shows the reader that its a story that they wont have heard before, therefore making them more interested. There is other artists and peoples name at the bottom in small writing, allowing the buyer to know exactly whats inside. 

Drafting and Planning: School magazine

For our practice school magazine, I have taken pictures of my little brothers in uniform which i plan to use. I have decided on my colour scheme etc, and am looking forward to starting to create it, and get the experience to produce a really good music magazine.

Research into Similar Products: Contents page

This is a good design for a content page, again the magazine NME. It has the main feature, Arctic Monkeys, as a image and with a little information under it with an advert under it, then the rest of the contents on the side in category's, so  buyers can go straight to what they want and its easy to distinguish whats what. It is a simple design, and its simple for all buyers to know where to access what they want to. The writing is easy to read, and in a nice font. I may decide to use a similar design with my contents page.

Research into Similar Products: Front cover analysis

My magazine may look something like NME style, with possibly similar colours, as I feel that red and black go nice together. I also like the way that the writing is sort of all other the place, as it gives a mismatch indie feel, which i may use in my own magazine. The way that the band names and the headlines are written really stand out, which is an element I am keen to feature. It also makes it really clear about what is in the magazine, which catchy headlines and sub-headlines. 

Analysis of questionnaire for school magazine

Question 1

This question asked what would be a good theme for a school magazine. The answers given say I should use a theme of students and achievements, or possibly sport. One person said I should do whatever my target audience would like.

Question 2 

This next question asked what the people I interviewed was important in school society. The answers I found most useful stated that they find respect and togetherness important, along with order and lessons.

Question 3

Next I asked what they thought would be a suitable colour scheme for the magazine. Every person but one included red in their answer. Other colours mentioned were blue, white and black, with the school colours also given some consideration. I think I can't overlook so many people saying they liked red.

Question 4 

For question 4 I asked if they liked big bold fonts. 80% of the people said that they did like them, the other 2 saying that they didn't want them to be too big. I think I will use a mixture of smaller and larger fonts.

Question 5

For my next question I asked if the magazine should be formal or informal. 3 people said that they would prefer a more formal approach, but a majority of 7 said informal was the best option.

Question 6

For question 6,  I asked if more text or pictures would be suitable. A large number, 7, voted for a larger number of pictures. 2 people said that they would like a balance of both.1 person said they prefer more text.

Question 7

For question 7, I asked what age range should the magazine be targeted at. There were mixed reviews with people stating that they would prefer a whole school magazine, whereas others decided that they would prefer a magazine just for the sixth form.

Question 8

For my final question, I asked the people I interviewed if they would like there to be interviews in the magazine and if so, from who. The answers were split between students and teachers equally. The people I interviewed have their own preferences for teachers, such as Mr Harrison and Anne-Marie Tibbits.

Research into Similar Products: Analysis of magazine

Research into Similar Products: Analysis of magazine

Research into Similar Products: My personal favourite music genre and bands

My favourite genre of music is britpop/ psychedelic rock.

My all time favourite band is probably The Stone Roses. I think their music symbolizes a freedom that no other band has ever managed. I also feel like they aren't any other band, and they are completely original, whereas bands like oasis are quite obviously influenced by bands such as The Beatles.
On their website is very colourful, and there is a trailer of their recent film, made of stone, (which is excellent) is right at the top of the website, easily to see. Also, you can see their social network sites and latest posts on the website, helping them advertise.

http://www.thestoneroses.org/


Another band that I enjoy listening to is Arctic Monkeys. Most people who apparently love this band only listen to their latest album, AM, which is by far their poorest album. I think Arctic Monkeys are so good because every album is so different.
On their website there is, like on The Stone Roses website, has a video right at the top. It is a video of one of their most well known song There is a banner on the top with links to different things inside the website.

http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/

Post number 2

This is the first exercise I completed on the course. It was an easy start, as all I had to do was crop the picture. I look forward to the tasks increasing in difficulty.

First post

Hello, I am Ben. I am studying Media Studies at AS level. This blog will identify the tasks I will complete in the next 6 or so months. I look forward to the challenge of the course!