BLOG CLOSURE NOTIFICATION

Centre Name: Norbury Manor B&E College

Centre Number: 14343

Candidate Name: Mariyam Khan

Candidate Number: 2120

Unit: G321

Construction Piece: Front Cover

Construction piece: Contents page

Construction piece: Double page spread

Evaluation Question 7:

Evaluation Question 6:

Evaluation Question 5:

Evaluation Question 4:

Evaluation Question 3:

Evaluation Question 2:

Evaluation Question 1:

Double page spread linked to contents and cover:

Double page spread layout:

Artist interview:

Leon Hills - the newly added to EMI’s list of signed legends. We’ve brought him to our headquarters to ask him how he feels about going down an exciting path, initiating the commence of his new career, pairing with different artists around the globe to mark his place in music.

With his most recent album ‘Forty-one’ having been released, he’s already managed to have had the pleasure of performing at London’s O2 arena, featuring R&B artist Hamza Khan, where he brought out his single for the album ‘Neon’.

With being signed to EMI – we know he’s just started and that’s going to boost his career even further,  already hitting 1 million subscribers on YouTube and having thousands of followers on twitter, Leon Hills is the next big hit.

What inspired you to make music?

“When I was younger I’d always be that goofy one in class singing old songs to the pretty girls, music itself is what inspired me to want a career in it. I was fifteen when I realised all I wanted to do was create music. Music is an art and when words fail music speaks. I’ve been through enough things in my 21 years of existence to realise that it’s all I’d like to do in life, it brings me peace and that’s all I’m looking for. That, and to be happy – to make people happy so they enjoy my music as I enjoyed others’ when I was growing up.”

Your single ‘Neon’ has had millions of views and major recognition. What are your thoughts on that?

“When it got just to 1 million views I was amazed. I didn’t know how to react but I know it’s just been one of the best moments of my life. I love all my fans, those who have stuck by me since I started and those who have just started to like my music, so thank you.”

How does it feel to be signed to a major label?

“I could say so many things on how I feel but honestly, what I feel most is proud. I never thought that I’d even have the opportunity to make it to where I am now. I want to thank all my fans for supporting me all the way through and never letting me give up on them or myself.”

What plans do you have for the future? Do you want to collaborate with anyone in particular?

“Ed Sheeran. He’s amazing and produces the same type of music as me, he’s an inspiration to me and it would be such a pleasure to work with him, hopefully I will be soon. I have so many new ideas but I don’t want to say too much so I guess you’ll just have to wait and see!”

 You’re a big inspiration to a wide audience, what advice would you give to those hoping to be like you?

“The thing I say to everyone, whenever anyone asks me this, is take risks and prosper. You aren’t going to get anywhere if you just play safe. I’ve put everything into starting my career and want to continue doing so. I’d say don’t let anyone put you down because they aren’t worth it, but you are. It’s far from easy but they’re just going to want to be your best friend when you do make it, but also just to learn from your own experience, that’s how you truly learn.”

Who’s your favourite artist?

“I guess I have many but my absolute favourite would be Jason Mraz. He’s been a big inspiration to me and I really look up to him and his music. I’ve managed to meet him a couple of times when he preformed and he was just such a nice person to talk to.”

What personal attributes would you say lead to success?

“Be positive, is the first thing I would say. If you have a positive outlook on things then you’ll feel better about yourself. Even if things aren’t going great then just try your best to stay positive because I do believe things will get better. If you fill yourself with negative thought then it does you no good, and everything just becomes unworthy. So stay positive!” 

Research interview writing:

Double page spread image choice:

Double page spread market research:

Contents page feedback:

. "I like how the contents page shows a clear link with the magazine front cover as the colour scheme and fonts tie in well."

. "The layout is good. The colours go well and link to your front cover. The pictures represent your genre and it looks really good."

. "I like your chosen images as they link to the genre of the magazine. Also, I like how it's east to read the writing/text included."

."The use of images brings a scene of character. Feature colours stand out. Layout is simple and effective."

. "The image of your model holding the guitar reflects the indie/acoustic genre. You've definitely included relevant artists and interesting content. I like this overall layout as it's easy to read and clear."

. "I really like the layout of your contents page. It shows that you've looked at real media texts. The images taken are clear and focused, they also link to your genre."

. "Good use of colours. Relates to front cover. Nice use of fonts. Good pictures."

. "I like the picture of Sophia at the top. It's really suited to your genre."

. "I like the positioning of the text as well as the fonts and images used."

. "I like the layout and the picture used."

."I think your layout matches your genre well as it looks endearing and natural (the props used in the images exemplify this."

. "Your artists reflect your genre style including the props. The layout is very different compared others I have seen. The images are clean and attractive. Overall, it links to all the other pages too."

Contents page colour choices:

Contents page text/features:

Contents page image choices:

Contents page layout:

Contents page research: 

Front cover feedback:

. "I like the range of fonts used. I think they link together well. The model is also wearing a checkered shirt which reflects your genre. You have also included terms that are included in real media text."

. "I like the font you've used for your masthead and also the colour scheme and layout."

. "I like the layout of the cover and what all the cover lines are. Also, I like how the masthead instantly shows what genre of magazine it is."

. "The image taken is clear and the angle of gaze is directly towards the consumer. The layout is well chosen and so is the text."

. "I really like the masthead of the magazine. The fact that you've got the EMI logo looks really professional."

. "I like the masthead. It suits your genre of music. The text is also relevant."

. "The font (for your double page spread artist) matches the genre perfectly and the artists mentioned will pull in. The image is very endearing."

. "The font on all three pages link throughout. The masthead suits your genre and I love the layout of your magazine, very unique."

. "I really like the colour scheme, it's bold and stands out. I like how its very simplistic yet effective and you can tell it's on acoustic music."

. "Good pose chosen for model. Great use of feature colours. Nice variety of text."

. "The picture really stands out and is eye catching. The colours fit well with the rest of the page."

. "Love the masthead. Feature colours worked well and are used appropriately. Model image draws in attention, as in eye catching. Magazine fits well together."

Front cover linked to research:
From what I've seen from real media text that I have looked at, my front cover is linked to my research in the following ways:
. My masthead is big and visible, it has elements that make it stand out such as colouring and shadows.
. My cover lines aren't too small, they're easy and visible to read.
. My main feature stands out as the most important text (apart from the masthead).
. The picture I've used on my front cover is clear and eye catching as this is what attracts people to a magazine he most.
. I have a balance of colour and a main feature colour (red)
. My barcode isn't too big and doesn't take up too much space
Below are magazines that I have looked at with my magazine at the end, showing how it replicates real media text

Front cover features:

Masthead and font decisions:

Front cover photograph manipulation:

Cover layout decisions:

Here I have presented what similarities and differences there are between my flat plan and final cover

Final shots:

These are the final shots I used for my front cover, contents page and double page spread

Model consent forms:

These are the form signed by my models, so I have the right to use their pictures in my magazine

Front cover test shots:

These are the test shots for my front cover:

Contents page test shots:
These are the test shots for one of my pictures on my contents page:

Double page spread test shots:

Shot lists:
These are my shot lists for my front cover/double page spread and my contents page:

Flat plan Feedback:

Flatplan Deconstruction:

Visual mood board:

Artist profile:
Below you can see my artist profile which I've done on glogster. I was inspired to choose my model because I think he fits the acoustic aesthetic perfectly and I chose his name because it's short so it'll be easier to display it on my front cover.

Reader Profile:

This is Isabelle Montez; she's seventeen and currently doing her A levels which are, photography, music and English. She loves to listen to acoustic music but prefers other genres like pop and grime too. Currently she's finding her studies stressful as they are all heavy subjects with lots of workload but enjoys them nevertheless as they are her passion. One of her favourite hobbies is to play the guitar which ties in with her love for music, she also plays volleyball and has entered numerous tournaments – 3 of which her team came first place.  In the future, she would like to travel the world someday and hopes to write about her experiences. She’d like to publish her first book and become a well known writer or a journalist. 

Research - Focused:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   I showed two people from my target audience this magazine cover as it's related to the genre that I'm doing for my magazine. It also has a well known acoustic artist on the cover who I've done some research on. I wanted to find out their thoughts on this and their interests within acoustic music, why they like it etc. I found that both of them really enjoy acoustic music and would love to see a new upcoming artist if they had a chance to which really motivated me to make my magazine and artist appeal to my target audience.

Research - Wide:

Artist research:

Genre research:

Below you can see my genre research for acoustic music. There wasn't much information available online though because I really like acoustic music - I wanted to carry it out and present it as it is the genre I would like to do for my magazine. 

Research rationale:

I intend to conduct my research at school due to the fact that I have access to the age range which I'm aiming my magazine at, which is 13-19 year old's. I will carry out a survey on surveymonkey in hopes to see what draws people into a magazine and what draws people into a magazine and what they'd like to see on the front cover of a magazine. This research will be quantitative as I'll be able to generate graphs - being able to compare my answers more easily.

As for my audience research, I'll be conducting qualitative research with a focus group. This will enable me to have thorough answers as oppose to simple answers, helping me explore the conventions of a music magazine with them so I can create a magazine worth buying. We will go through different magazine covers to see what is more pleasing to the eye and things that make a magazine stand out. By doing this, I'll have direct feedback from my target audience so it's ideal to take the opportunity to do this as it will help my magazine production a lot.

Typography:
Below is my typography that I done using different mastheads from different magazines, I decided to present this on glogster to make it look slightly different. 

My magazine deconstruction:



Above, I have presented a magazine deconstruction of the same magazine but two different covers, highlighting the similarities and differences of them.

Music magazine moodboards:

Here, you can see that i have presented 4 different moodboards of different magazines, showing what they do and how the consumer benefits from them when it comes to music and news.

My initial feelings: