Textual Analysis of Existing Work Summary

After analysing existing work, I found that there are many strengths within the colour palette used in this person's magazine and across most music magazines from the rock/indie rock genres, e.g. red,black,and white; we will apply this to our magazine as it is used quite effectively in all other rock magazines, like Rolling Stone, Q, and NME. Also, the images used are quite good quality and link very well to the article clearly, however they could be a little more realistic. Although there are many strengths, there are also quite a few weaknesses to this magazine; the cover lines on the front cover of the magazine are in a white font, this doesn't contrast well at all with the background image as they are very similar colours, making it almost difficult to read what is written. They could have perhaps put a box behind each cover line, this would have made it more obvious and clear to read, also making it eye-catching to the reader. Also, on the contents page, the main artist's (Roxy Carter) image is one of the smallest on the page, this isn't very effective as she is on the front cover, which means she is the main feature of the magazine; therefore she should have a larger/the largest image.

Progress Report

During our research so far through doing our textual analysis and genre research, Maisie and I have became more aware of our likes and dislikes when it comes to print. Through looking at and analysing different rock magazines have shown me that I like the styles of the magazine and also the genre of music so I think we have chosen well. Some of my favourite bands are in this music genre, such as Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Kasabian and Arctic Monkeys, because I have an interest in this genre of music I really think that will help me achieve the grade I aspire for. Here are a few examples of some of my favourite covers:

Influential Figures

Textual Analysis of Existing Work

Summary of Findings

From analysing my first music magazine text, I have found that most magazine covers contain a long shot of the artist(s), this is something that I would like to apply to my magazine, as I think that it is quite effective. The main colour palette of the magazine is usually black, red and white, this gives it quite an edgy look, and also creates simplicity within the magazine. Also, the overlapping/letters covered (occasionally) on the front cover of the magazine, gives off a very rocky image, linking to the whole idea of how rock artists aren't particularly bothered about their image/attitude, this is something that we might apply to our magazine. This is because, it shows that the magazine has such a large mass audience that they don't need to have the whole brand name showing on the front cover, the public will instantly know who the brand is, and buy it anyway.

Textual Analysis - NME Magazine

Summary of Findings

From analysing my first music magazine text, I have found that most magazine covers contain a long shot of the artist(s), this is something that I would like to apply to my magazine, as I think that it is quite effective. The main colour palette of the magazine is usually black, red and white, this gives it quite an edgy look, and also creates simplicity within the magazine. Also, the overlapping/letters covered (occasionally) on the front cover of the magazine, gives off a very rocky image, linking to the whole idea of how rock artists aren't particularly bothered about their image/attitude, this is something that we might apply to our magazine. This is because, it shows that the magazine has such a large mass audience that they don't need to have the whole brand name showing on the front cover, the public will instantly know who the brand is, and buy it anyway.

Genre Research

Response to the Brief

Myself and Maisie Weaver have chosen to create a rock music magazine, this is because we feel that we will be able to achieve a better grade by focusing on a music type we know a lot about. We have decided that our target audience will be mainly focused on young people/teenagers(16+); this is because we our teenagers ourselves, which means that we will have a better understanding of what may appeal to them/want they want to see. There are two specific rock magazines that have influenced our choice of genre: NME and Kerrang magazine, they seem to have a very big fan base/audience which could be because of the specific content within the magazine, e.g. musicians/articles. Print Brief: Preliminary exercise: using DTP and an image manipulation program, produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally candidates must produce a DTP mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate their grasp of the program. Main task: the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine (if done as a group task, each member of the group to produce an individual edition of the magazine, following the same house style). Maximum four members to a group. All images and text used must be original, produced by the candidate(s), minimum of FOUR images per candidate.

Welcome Note

Hi there, my name is Alice Porter and I am currently studying Media Studies at AS Level (which my blog will be based/focused upon) at Countesthorpe Community College. I have focused on the indie-rock genre for my magazine, exploring current magazines and former ones to gain inspiration for my production. My candidate number is 8266.