Evaluation of Final Products

Final Product

Front Cover Evaluation:Research

• Before beginning the production of my front cover I researched and deconstructed three other music magazines front covers, especially focusing on other Indie publications to better understand what makes a front cover successful and develop my understanding of conventions of front covers so I can use them on my page. For example I deconstructed a NME anniversary cover of Joy Division, a Q subscribers cover of Arctic Monkeys and another NME font cover of the Horrors.

• Below are the images I deconstructed.

• There were a number of things that I took from my research and decided to try and use on my front cover. For example I really liked the image used for the subscribers edition of Q. I loved the oddness of it which I felt exemplified Indie and wanted to create similar image on my page. However the conventions of a front cover dictate that there should be eye contact as this draws the reader in and entices them to read the magazine so for my front cover image I tried to create enigma by tying the hands up with the microphone lead but kept the direct eye contact that’s successfully used in the other pages I researched.

• I also loved the colour codes used on each cover I researched as they used bold contrasting colours and a limited palette to create a strong sense of brand identity. I therefore decided to use a similar technique on my front cover.

• The use of a variety of fonts on the coverlines creates a dynamic page which also interested me and I wanted to recreate on my front cover.

• I also discovered the importance on lures on front covers and again wanted to use on my page.

• For explanation of components of my front cover and analysis of my page please follow link below http://syd-mediablog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/front-cover-production.html

Front Cover Comparison

Similarities:•Bold mastheads both placed clearly at the top of the page. •Direct eye contact•Bold eye catching images•Limited and contrasting colour palettes•Disorganised font•Variety of fonts and sizes•Another image of a different artist•Coverlines down one side of the page•Mentioning of other successful artists/lures

My front cover is similar to existing magazines as through my research I have developed an understanding of the conventions of and why they are used to create a successful product and have used these conventions in order to try and replicate the success of other publications.

Differences:• Colour codes differ drastically with red, black and

white on NME and acid green, yellow and black on mine.

• Coverlines on both sides of NME’s page but only on the left hand side on mine.

• The main coverline is along the bottom of the page in NME’s but the top left on mine.

• All colours fit the colour code on NME’s cover but I have used the red which contrasts with my colour scheme and house colours.

• A woman instead of a man on the cover.• The overall layout of the pages differ.

I have created my page to contrast with other magazines to create a individual magazine with it’s own strong sense of identity and create a vital USP which is necessary for it to be a successful product.

Contents Page Evaluation:Research

• Just as I researched Indie and rock magazine front covers I also researched two versions of NME’s contents pages and a Q magazine contents page to develop my understanding of what conventions are used to create a successful contents page.

• From my research I really liked the organised layout of Q’s content’s page as it enabled readers to easily identify what's in the edition and where to find it through the different sections on the page.

• I also liked the use of photos in the newer version of NME’s contents page with the main article having the largest image but other smaller images showing other artists in the edition.

• I also liked the continuation of the colour codes through into the contents page and wanted to use all of these techniques on my page.

• For explanation of why I have created my contents page the way I have and analysis of individual components please go to link below

http://syd-mediablog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/contents-page-production.html

Contents Page Comparison

Similarities:• Organised sections clearly labelled• Page numbered highlighted and easily identifiable • Images relating to the cover• Continuation of colour codes from front cover• Use of branding in the masthead• Date and issue number included at the top of the

page• Artists names made to stand out compared with

the rest of the text

My page is again similar to other publications pages because I have used conventions because they make the page more successful. For example it is imperative that a contents page informs the reader what the edition contains and entices them to continue reading whilst showing them exactly where they need to look to find articles that interest them and the conventions I have used are ones that enable readers to do that.

Differences:

• Different colour codes with Q’s white, black and red whereas mines black, yellow, green and white.

• Inclusion of letter from the editor in my page

• More smaller images on my page

• A wider variety of font types used on my page

• I’ve made my page numbers larger that the font and put it in a stylised font to draw attention to it.

• I’ve included a tickertape along the bottom with the logo and page number

I’ve made my page different to other publications to connote the genre of this magazine of Indie so by having a different looking magazine it connotes a odd genre of music. I’ve also made it different to again give this magazine a USP and strong sense of brand identity.

DPS EvaluationResearch

Just as I researched front covers and contents page I did the same for DPS’ and again deconstructed two DPS’ from NME and one from Q. I also focused on DPS’ which present female artists such as Lily Allen and Florence Welch to help me develop ideas for my DPS.I again researched them to help me understand what conventions are used in a DPS to make it successful to help me emulate these conventions and spark ideas.

• From my initial research I really liked the use of one large image for the DPS as I felt it was most eye catching and visually dynamic and drew in the reader most so consequently wanted to do this in my DPS.

• I also wanted to use a single image of one person as this again seemed most effective from my research.

• There was also some sex appeal, especially in the representation of the women and I again wanted to try and use this.

• I also really liked the use of disorganised font in the masthead of the Lily Allen DPS and wanted to use something like that in mine or any eye catching font for the masthead.

• From the research I also wanted to include a enigmatic masthead to draw the reader in and also create a feeling of confidentiality to make the article more enticing.

• For a deconstruction of my DPS and explanation of why my page has been created the way it is follow link below http://syd-mediablog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/creation-of-my-double-page-spread.html

DPS Comparison

Similarities• Long full shot of a woman taking up one page of the

DPS• Emphasis on the legs of the woman to create sex

appeal to attract men as well as women• A masthead that goes across both pages• A variety of fonts• Plain background• Direct eye contact• Interesting positioning of the person• Strong colours• Text in columns• Use of props such as microphone and flag

There are again similarities between my page and real media producers pages because through my research I have identified the conventions that make DPS’ successful and used them on my page. For example I have used one large, single, striking image on the left page to engage the reader and entice them to read the rest of the article amongst other conventions.

Differences• Different colour codes• Different layout of text with mine having text

on the left page• I have used a bold quote separate from the

rest of the text• Different fonts used and colour of text• Use of branding and logos on my page but

none on the other• Different styling's• Length of introduction• Use of caption by the image on my page• Overall atmosphere of the page

My page is again different to the professional one as theoretically mine would be from a separate publication and would therefore need to be different in order to have a USP and sell. For example the atmosphere of the professional one is very clean, intellectual and well ordered whereas mine has more of a disorganised and punk-esque atmosphere to symbolise the revolutionary feel of my magazine. It also has much more use of branding because as a new publication it would be imperative for it to create a strong brand identity.