Magazine Evaluation

Manisha Bhopal

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

My product challenges the conventions of a real magazine as the genre of it is Bhangra, showing a new genre in the magazine industry. I found one or two Bhangra magazines online, however as they were online they didn’t follow the conventions of traditional magazines. This meant I had to get my inspiration from other magazines such as NME, Vibe and Q; the magazines I analyzed on my blog.

My front cover is very straightforward as it includes only three strap lines, the title, main image and kicker. This is because these follow the generic conventions of the few Bhangra magazines I have been able to research. The kicker along the bottom of the magazine says “Binnie Marwa.” This is underneath the picture of him, showing the kicker anchors the image, following generic conventions. Also, I included strap lines, however challenges the conventions as I only used three along the left hand side. Usually on magazines, three /four kickers are used on the left and right hand side of the magazine front cover in order to show readers what is going to be featured in the magazine. However, as I have used only three, it shows the simplicity of the front cover, however also implies that I have used original conventions as well, as I have still included strap lines on my front cover. The double page spread follows generic conventions as it has an image across both pages, but has text on the right page. This follows generic conventions as it is balanced; a main image on one page and text on the other, showing a similarity to general magazine double page spreads, such as Vibe and NME. I wanted to follow the generic conventions for my double page spread as it looked professional and well laid out like a magazine should , so the double page spread didn’t have too much text or too many pictures.

In my contents page, I followed generic conventions by focusing on the contents page from the magazine and used a similar idea. I changed the layout, genre and font in order for my contents page to look different, however allow it to follow the generic conventions of typical music magazines. In my mock up, the page is split into three sections in order to show the traditional conventions of the layout of a contents page. The page is balanced, as it has the equal amount of text and pictures, following traditional conventions of music magazines. The language is very simple and straight forward as there isn’t that much text on the page. The main image used is a high angle which shows the equipment in the music studio, emphasizing the image is to do with music.

The mock up of my contents page is similar to my final draft of the contents page as the layout is in the same place (pictures and text) and the colours are the same. The only difference I have made is that in the right hand corner is that it doesn’t say “TABLA” (Indian drums), instead it says “EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MISS POOJA” This is because the format didn’t look professional as it looked as though a random word was floating, looking out of place.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My magazine appeals to people who enjoy listening to Bhangra music and who are inspired by their culture. This is because of the colours used; Red being very vibrant and loud, which relate to the sound that Indian percussion instruments make, portraying the sound of Bhangra music. In addition, the instruments used also grab the attention of those individuals who play similar instruments such as the traditional Indian drum used on the front cover; the Dhol. This is because they have a relation to the magazine, therefore feel apart of the magazine themselves. It is aimed at both genders, as the pictures on the contents page reflect this, also it relates to all different ages. Also, it relates the Asian community as Bhangra music has been a tradition for hundreds of years, therefore the trend is still going on.

Also, it is now combined with new technologies, such as Djing which is reflected on the contents page, as it is now aimed at teenagers, showing they’re bringing in new technologies, mixing it in with the traditional drums and instruments.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

As my magazine genre hasn’t been distributed in the magazine industry yet, I think it would appeal to shops who promote Bhangra music, as well as shops who which sell conventional magazines. This is because the magazine is targeted at the Asian community, however as society is multi cultural, it may also be featured in a newsagents. The genre of my magazine is new, therefore would be popular with the Asian society and Bhangra lovers. It is something fresh, therefore a lot of people may be interested in what it has to offer . However, a publisher such as the Bauer Media Group, who are a German publisher for Q magazine may be interested in my product as it is something new and has never been created or seen on the shelves. As this publisher is very well known in the magazine industry and operates in 15 worldwide countries, it can allow the magazine “Simply Bhangra” to become a lot more popular, especially as this company has never published a Bhangra magazine before.

Who would the audience be for your media product?

As the genre of my magazine is Bhangra, the audience appeals to people who enjoy listening to Bhangra music. There isn’t a specific age limit on the magazine as Bhangra music can relate to people of different ages. However, majority of the target audience would be for the Asian community as the magazine itself relates to issues and stories to do with Asian singers. The target audience may be limited as it only relates to the Asian culture, however as it has no age limit, it is unique as traditional/conventional magazines have an age limit with their magazines . It appears to both males and females as Bhangra music is appealing to both genders. I have included both females and males on my magazine, therefore each gender may have a role model/icon who is featured on the magazine, showing equality throughout my magazine.

Images of female and male character’s to show equality throughout the magazine to show that it is targeted at both women and men, implying how Bhangra music is diverse and applies to everyone.

Even though the main image on the front cover is of a male, it does not suggest that the magazine is targeted at jus males. Women/girls may see this famous singer as a role model, and enjoy his music, therefore are suitable for the target audience as well.

For my double page spread, I used the sponging toolon the background to show that the picture has been

washed out, allowing the colours to look more dull in orderfor the article to be visible for the audience. I have used the Same writing for the masthead throughout so it is consistent

And so the audience recognize the article is from mymagazine. The image is taken from behind in order to show the

audience and to show how popular Bhangra is.

Before After

How did you attract/address your audience? In order to attract my audience, I used bright and bold colours, such as red, white and black. This allowed my magazine to stand out and address the

readers as the main image and writing consisted of these colours. Also, I was the only person to create a Bhangra magazine, therefore the target audience and other people would be intrigued to see how my magazine is different and conventional to other magazines.

Also, I have attracted the audience by using famous Asian celebrities such as “Jaz Dhami” who is a very famous Bhangra singer. This allows the audience to interact with the magazine as they are familiar with this celebrity, therefore are intrigued and influenced to read the magazine.

My front cover consists of a male model; Binnie Marwa, wearing traditional Asian clothing who is holding the Dhol (Asian drum). A worms eye/ mid shot is used in order to show status and power of him playing one of the most famous and well known drums and percussion instruments in India. The font on all these pieces of work is the same, starting with the title. The font used is Samarakan, which is in the style of Asian writing, as of how the letters are joint at the top. This immediately reveals the genre of music to the audience, especially by the title of the magazine being “Simply Bhangra”. On the double page spread, I have used an over the shoulder shot, in order to show what the model sees when playing the Dhol on stage. He is wearing the same outfit to indicate the genre is Bhangra . The article is in two columns and consists of an interview which is formal as it is friendly. The contents page is different as if still includes an image of the male model, however he is in different clothing. This is to show he is versatile, along with the other images shown, which

imply the different ways music is presented throughout the magazine.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

From the process, I have learnt that Photoshop allows you to edit and change pictures dramatically, into a specific way. Also, the fact that it takes a lot of time and effort when creating your magazine in order for it to look realistic and the way you want it to. This is because Photoshop has a variety of ways to edit and create a magazine, therefore it takes longer and twice as long. I had developed new skills such as using the sponging tool, which I used on my double page spread in order to fade out the background. This allowed me to fade out the background so the audience are able to read the magazine clearly, however are able to still the image. Overall, I have learnt that a lot of thought goes into creating magazines as each convention has a connotation; which reveals a deeper meaning when looked at in depth.

Before; the colour in the background is very bright, as you are able to see the audience's clothing clearly.

After; after the use of the sponging tool, the background looks as though it has been washed out, which allows the colours to look duller, in order for the article to be visible.

The images are too small, not in proportion with the rest of the magazine.

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full

product?

From my preliminary task, I have learnt that it takes time and patience when creating a magazine as concentration and time is needed. With my preliminary task, I didn’t put that much thought and effort into what I was doing as I didn't’ really think about how colours and the layout linked with the genre of my magazine. However, with my coursework, I thought about the layout and reason why I was making my magazine the way I did as I followed certain conventions of a Bhangra magazine, such as 2/3 strap lines and used them on the front cover, reflecting the genre of my magazine.. Also, I have learnt the deeper meanings of magazines and why certain genres use certain conventions in their magazines as this portrays different meanings and messages. This is because specific factors, such as colour symbolise several different meanings, such as mood and genre.

Logo, too small land not very clear. Unable to tell it represents Lordswood sixth form

The strap lines are too small and are hard to read on the left hand side.

This magazine front cover relates to the genre of being a college magazine, however there are a few faults as shown. The images at the bottom are not in proportion, and look tiny compared to the main image. There are four different fonts used, which complicate the magazine and doesn't follow generic conventions as only 2/3 fonts are usually used. The logo is also too small, as you cant even see it, making it unrecognisable to other pupils. Looking back at this front cover, I have recognised my faults, whereas when I had first completed it, I thought it was accurate and followed the stereotypes of a college magazine.This research helped me as it allowed me to experiment with different fonts and allowed me to develop my ideas later on, when creating my magazine as I was able to make it look a lot more professional.