There are many conventions of pre - existing texts, these include;
masthead, images, colour scheme and coverlines that all add up to the format of the magazine - this is then typically made consistent throughout the magazine to develop a house style that continues across any other issues.
In terms of Indie music magazines, the stereotypical convention is the iconology of something different. This means having props that might not relate to the content or either extreme or minimal costume. The artists tend to be white, but of many nationalities, and are shot with minimal facial expressions. Due to the fact many indie artists are bands, most cover pages stagger the position of the members and during interviews, there is no definitive colloquialism that is associated with the genre.
Masthead
The masthead is typically located at the top of the magazine, either centred or to the left, although some magazines choose to change and break this convention - with Billboard placing theirs vertically down the left hand side. This is consequently a key convention due to its importance in identifying the magazine.
My music magazine is called UNDISCOVERED (meaning: to see, to get knowledge of, learn of, or find out; to gain sight or knowledge of something previously unknown.) with the connotation that my magazine's function is that it offers music information that people do not know yet. I have clearly placed my masthead across the top of my front cover, making it identifiable and noticeable. I have followed the typical convention with the reason that it just simply works: conventions are conventions for a reason.
I have used a sans - serif font because it is bold and fits with the idea that I wanted my magazine to be modern. This is due to the fact that my magazine is aimed at a younger demographic that is westernised - so a modern theme would appeal to them. Additionally, after looking at many other indie music magazines, it was clear that they were bold and as a result ended up being a focal point of the magazine. In comparison, my masthead is relatively similar as I took both INDIE and Billboard (though it may not specifically be indie music) as inspiration.
 |
| INDIE magazine masthead |
 |
| Billboard magazine masthead 2015 |
Each one of my mock ups also used this convention, I chose not to try to challenge it because I was already certain that I wanted this style, my audience survey re - enforced this because they liked it and that I wanted magazine to have an indie feel, so I followed by example. Consequently, this means that I have kept what they use in terms of font types and the placement of the masthead, and with the help of my survey that suggested using white, it ties in with what most magazines use too (as displayed by INDIE). Furthermore, as part of my format of my magazine I chose a minimalism theme, and this was encouraged further by my survey to my specific target audience. Therefore, this explains the simplicity of my masthead of it being in capital letters that gives a sense of uniformity and clarity.
Images
Second to the masthead is the type of image that is used as the cover and that are featured throughout the magazine. This is because it is what the audience first sees - it needs to be able to draw them in so they want to read what is inside it.
Typically, the model on the front cover should be facing forward, making eye contact with the reader to create an engagement. Some magazine may use the concept of the male/female gaze to make it more appealing to their specific target by placing them in position or using different types of costume. The contents page should have related images to the cover, as well as a range of others in accordance to its function and what is inside it that can be placed creatively to draw in attention. Lastly, the double page spread should be related to the article and able to draw attention, but also work well with any text that may be place either by or on it. The shooting of images range and are dependent on the message they are trying to convey of the genre and lighting can factor in how the audience see the model.
For my magazine, I used these conventions to create an effective front cover. Out of the many images I took, I chose the close up below based largely on the eye contact. By having her eyes looking out, it creates a connection from the audience to the artist and draws them, and as a result are more inclined to buy and read the magazine. Furthermore, my magazine is centred around this particular model, so having connection to the audience means that they want to read the interview and gives the idea that they can get to know her. Additionally, the posing of her hands are slightly less significant in terms of audience/artist connection, but it links to the conventions of Indie magazines. This is due to the fact that by obscuring and covering the face, it gives a different feel - much like how the genre is 'different'. Lastly, her facial expression is minimal, and as I stated before, this is another convention because it gives a more relaxed tone.
 |
| Original image |
 |
| Edited final image |
This image is also the one suggested by my survey. By using it, I have listened to the thoughts of my target audience and have therefore made it so it appeals to them. Also, I have taken into account what I would like to see - being the target audience demographic and fan of the genre. Lastly, it corresponds with the function of my magazine - to inform on indie music, and the image connotes that it is on that specific genre.
 |
| i-D music magazine |
I used the magazine i-D as my inspiration because of the eye contact. Although one eye is covered - a signature feature of the magazine - it highlights how minimal facial expressions work and I based mine loosely on this. However, my model is showing no skin, unlike Rihanna in this photo as her collarbones and chest are slightly visible. I used the theory of the male gaze, but drew the audience's eyes to hers by brightening them - making them more of a focal point. Additionally, I used heavy eye make up to enhance her natural beauty, rather than exposing skin because this was something she was not comfortable with. Therefore this means that to get around the problem I focused on her face so females would want to look like her and males find her attractive. Consequently, in comparison to existing texts - I followed the conventions of eye contact to draw the audience in and enhanced her features using the idea of the male gaze.
As part of images and layout, my double page spread continues the theme of minimalism. I used a Marie Claire double page spread for inspiration and it is clear that my one uses features of it. The way the text is displayed is similar to the pre - existing one as I have a quote in centre as well as the main title in a serif font that contrasts to the sans serif text, make it stand out along with it being larger and a different colour. The image covers only one side of the double - page and I took this when she was unaware. I think this has created a good effect because it links to the pull quote -'.. songs reflect me' as it is a more natural photo. Lastly, I have used a consistent frame by aligning the text so it is uniform and clean, linking to the minimalism of my whole magazine. Five of the six images I have used I have taken, with the exception being a stack of vinyl records on my contents page that I have taken from Google Images as I was unable to take one myself.
 |
| My double - page spread |
 |
| Marie Claire double - page spread |
Colour Scheme
I have only used three different colours in my magazine; black, white and dark pink. This is because once the there are more, it becomes too busy too look at, which does not fit with the running theme of minimalism.
The reason I chose a dark pink was because this is the colour of the lipstick the model is wearing in my cover image. The reason for this is because the jacket she has on has a slight pink tinge also, so I decided that I would be best to use. Also, my survey results stated I should used black, white and red - so I decided to replace the red and keep the black and white. Furthermore, the pink, although feminine, is not everywhere, so does not make my magazine seem like it is only for girls. It is also bold, so I used it to highlight certain features of my magazine - mainly being the artist name. Additionally, all three of my aspects follow the same format and I was aware of this when designing them so they were all consistent.
Coverlines
A feature of a magazine cover are the coverlines that inform the audience on the format of it. The typical conventions of them are that they are located around the main image. How many there are of them are dependent on the magazine and if it is cluttered or simple. My magazine is more unconventional in terms of the mainstream music magazines like Q and RollingStone. This is due to the fact that the main coverlines are at the bottom of the image rather than to the side of it. I chose this as its simple, and after the feedback from my survey it was apparent that my target audience preferred something that was simple and clean, rather than cluttered with lots of information.
Additionally, my music magazine genre is indie - therefore the conventions of these types of magazine is that they are simple (as demonstrated by i-D). As well as coverlines, my magazine cover features a sell line in the left hand corner below the masthead - 'Discover New Indie' - this explains more about the magazine and its function. This is another typical convention of a magazine cover as sell lines are designed to be short and memorable that connotes the magazines purpose.
 |
| Typical Q music magazine showing coverlines conventions |
House Style
The house style of a magazine is among the most important conventions because it is in every aspect of designing a magazine. This means to create an effective one, I have used a continuous theme of minimalism, structured text/margins, colour scheme and images that all link together. Therefore, I have stuck to this convention so my magazine looks more co - ordinated and professional. Consequently, in comparison, my magazine is no different to any other (with the exception of magazines such as RayGun) and this is effective because it also makes it more likely that my magazine will be recognisable if more issues were created. It also makes a larger margin for success because it will be familiar with my target audience, meaning they know what they will be getting in terms of what it looks like and what its function is. Lastly, it gives the magazine a sense of identity and a good impression to the audience, making it wider as I am not limiting myself to a niche one.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my magazine mainly follows the conventions of pre - existing texts. This is due to the fact that I have strived to not challenge it because this is not always the wisest choice. By not disregarding conventions, it makes it more successful as it is recognisable and professional looking. Additionally, I followed conventions of the genre of my magazine because indie is simple and laid back and so is minimal, juxtaposing the cluttered and bold conventions of pop music magazines such as Billboard. I am also aware that whilst simple and clean covers may not work for everyone, it is what works for my audience. As a result of this it makes my magazine more successful because it is aesthetically pleasing to the audience so much so they want to buy it. Furthermore, by keeping the four Fs - format, function, frame and formula - in my mind whilst designing it, it clearly conveys the message that I want it to have: a place to discover the best indie music. Consequently, I am pleased with the overall look of my magazine as I feel I have created a unique magazine that is identifiable.
No comments:
Post a Comment