Contents title idea:

The reason why I chose the colour 'white’ font for the contents is because, it compliments the title on the left side of the contents page and, I want the front cover's scheme colours to be the same as the contents because, I'm going to add the masthead on the side top corner of the contents page because, the title of the magazine is in white, the 'contents' font colour is also in white to compliment to title on the left. Therefore, by using the same colour scheme in the front cover, contents page and double-page spread it makes sense and goes very well together.

Plan: Potential contents page layout

The layout is a blunt idea of how my contents page is going to be laid out. The titles on the right; ''FEATURES, Exclusive and Music & Charts'' are going to be in a larger font size than the sub-titles underneath it. I want the numbers on the left followed by a sub-title of that page next to it also, a brief description of the page and what it holds, I want it to be very interesting to read to therefore, catch the attention of the reader so that they are attracted to it. I will make all the description the same length as each other; I will do this carefully so that it looks very professional.

Furthermore, I have picked the following titles on this contents page because, in most R&B music magazines they often include the following titles so, and it makes sense and fits the conventions of an R&B music magazine, for example in vibe.

I will keep the colour white, grey (different shades) and black, as the background will be grey (medium darkish shade) which contrasts with some of the white/black writing also, the text within the contents page will remain white. Also, the first letter of the title (tune) is 'T' so i will be using that letter in the background in a dark grey font. Also, the model will be the same 'jada louis'

Front cover shot ideas:

I created a Mood board of the types of shots I will consider using for my front cover, contents and double paged article. The reasons why I chose these specific images is because, the make-up isn't heavy nor is it too little however, it is a perfect amount which I will be considering for my model for the front cover. Also, as we have to show the model wearing different clothes, this mood board shows the different outfits being worn and making it suit the genre being R&B also, I will dress my model in different outfits in the front cover and the double page spread.

Title: Masthead

My rough idea for masthead on my front cover: 

Here I have chose the title of the magazine to be called 'Tune' as it was most popular between the names 'chamber' and 'tune' also, I feel that this name links more to music and is simple so that the potential readers find it easy to spot anywhere like for example; the name 'Vibe' which is very successful as a music magazine name.

Also, I have decided to include a 'sky line' in my magazine, this is because it shows the people who will be featured in the magazine. I then made the font not that large because, I don't want it to be the centre of attention also, it looks nice and appealing in this font.

Furthermore, I created this square like shape on the first letter 'T', this is very eye-catching and most magazine like, 'Vibe' use it and it is very successful. Therefore, I thought i would use it as it is very successful and looks very appealing and efficient. 

MY FINAL DECISION FOR MY MASTHEAD: 

After a long hard think I have decided to make the background of the front cover a contrast of grey, as it goes with some of the cover-lines in the front cover. I have made the model wear a dark purple lipstick as it is very eye-catching and attractive, in addition, the model is smiling which shows her full white teeth this goes very well with the title and some of the cover-lines. Also, I have decided to make the title colour white & the 'Sky line' in a colour of WHITE however, most of the cover-lines will be black.

Plan: Potential front cover layout

I tried making my layout as exact as how I want my front cover to turn out as, I included a splash which most music magazines use, this then conforms the conventions of a music magazines. I made it red as this is the most colour used in my magazine. Also, I included a strap line right at the edge and will make the background of it black and the text white.

The cover lines will form a border around the model in my front cover as it looks very professional and classy. I will then include a website that the readers can visit right on top of the barcode, in a dark red square shape. Also, I will put the issue date right underneath the barcode in a black square shape, by doing this it will frame the barcode as the barcode is already square.

Additionally, I will make the left cover line in a slightly larger font than the other cover lines, as it is what i was the readers to read first.

Mood board

Firstly, I have created a mood board which has words that associate with R&B music, i have made this to get the 'feel' of R&B music and how different words connect to this type of music genre. I have designed this by using the website: http://www.wordle.net/.

Here is another mood board I designed with R&B male artists, I have picked out the images with the shots I will be using in my contents/ double paged article. The reasons for this is because it is common and their choice of clothing fit the conventions of an R&B magazine/ dress code. Also, the imges show confience and their chose of type empathises this R&B image they are trying to get across and establish.
Furthermore, by using these types of shot makes them seem superiror and then more appealing to a certain audience that would be attracted to R&B music, which is the target audience that is from ages 14-24.

Test Shots

Props:

I choose the black cap because, it is a key prop which is mostly used by R&B artists. Also, I would place the headphones around the model's neck on the front cover which further suggests that she has an interest in music, similarly it is a fashion trend among the youth which is a refreshing idea to use.

 

The reasons why i used these props, the chain, watch and bracelets is because; in the front cover of most R&B magazines they use accessories/ jewellery to create the feel of R&B music. Therefore, this follows the R&B 'look' or fashion that is represented in most R&B music video's and artists.

Test Shots:

LOCATION: INSIDE (PURPLE BACKGROUND)

LOCATION: OUTSIDE (BRICK WALL)

HW: My Music Magazine

For my magazine cover, there will be a mid-shot of a female with a fair bit of make-up on, i want to the image to be the center of attention, as this conforms and goes for many R&B magazines.

As you can see in this magazine the make-up look they went for 'Alicia Keys' isn't too extreme but its a fair amount. Therefore, i believe that because i am featuring a female for my magazine front cover, i want the make-up to match/ go with the cover lines, for example; the cover-line being navy blue therefore, I'm going to make her eye-shadow the same.

Furthermore, by having a female on the cover, with professional yet fair bit of make-up on and dramatic costume. I will be conforming to the stereotype because, the making the costume dramatic will grab attentions of the reader also, it may show how much status she has in the music industry.






When talking about age, she is a female in her youth which is seen as appropriate as the target audience is young people. Also, since this magazine will have new and current artists it is seen as better to have someone fresh and new. 

The location for the front cover will be set in a plain background to make it look like the photographs were taken in a studio. Use the walls to make it look like this, preferably white walls, as my background is going to be plain and white for my front cover. However, For another image I may use the outside settings, either the model against a brick wall, or in front of e.g. trees, but focusing on the model.

- The model will be a friend, maybe two people for a different image on the contents page.

- The clothing will be leather trousers with a dark shade lipstick, like purple to create this 'sexy' look, this will be for the front cover also, she will be wearing chains to create this R&B look/ feel.

Technology-

• Camera
• Lighting
• Tripod
• Batteries

Analysis: music magazine (DPS)

This is a double page spread of the music magazine ‘XXL’. There is no main headline for the extract, although there is a ‘lift-out’ quote from Bow Wow positioned centrally in the article to draw readers in. The font used in the whole article is Sans Serif which has no flick ups and this generally connotes a font that is more modern; this can tell you that the article is up to date. However, the ‘lift out’ quote and subjects name is written in Serif font which usually has ‘flick ups’ & these generally connote tradition because it looks hand written and old fashioned.

There is only one image used in the article & it’s a color photograph of a man. The focus is on the subject ‘Bow Wow’. It’s a mid-shot in high key lighting and is located on the 2nd page of the double page spread article. The photo of Bow Wow is against a white background which may connote a ‘fresh start’ to the reader due to the fact that Bow Wow himself states that he no longer want's to be in the category of a ‘Kiddie Rapper’ because he is 18 now and wants to show his transition from a boy into a man. Bow Wow’s Non Verbal Communication is very distinctive and it’s the first thing that catches your eye. His stance connotes strength as well as power and his facial expression shows focus and determination. However, his body language is at variance with his facial expression. Bow Wow’s facial expression is quite aggressive and stand-offish, whereas his body language suggests he is calm, laid back and at ease.

Bow Wow is wearing a very big silver diamond encrusted chain, this suggests that he is very wealthy but also connotes to power and prestige; it can also indicate your status in society. Besides him, the chain is very visible to the audience to inform them that he is wealthy and is positioned quite high in society; the chain is there to also represent the culture that Bow Wow represents and that is Hip-Hop. His costume is simple but effective; he is wearing a plain white vest with a black cap and a chain. The black cap with the white vest creates a contrast as they don’t go together. His vest could also have been used to reveal the tattoo’s along his arms so the audience are reminded that he is a mature adult now and not the kid he once was.

The colour scheme used in this double page spread article is white and so is the background, here's a use of simple colours that accompany each other very well.

This article will appeal to fans of Bow Wow or people who are interested in the Hip-Hop culture.

There are two coloumns used in this article, with a word count of 1219.

Analysis: music magazine (contents page)

Contents Analysis: Music Magazine - Billboard

 

The Billboard contents page is split up into different sections. On the left, they have all the different charts are listed, from top to bottom. Also, the number of the charts are in the middle of the title and the border of it is very colourful which then draw attention to the 'No1' charts listed which makes it look professional and eye catching. Then in the centre, there are Upfront pages, Feature pages that include the cover story, Music pages, and In Every Issue, which has the pages that are always in issues of Billboard. At the top, there are three photos of artists. On the right, there is the main image. On a corner of each photo, there is a page number that is related to the photo. At the bottom of the contents page, there is Home Front which tells us about Online - the what’s new on their website and Events coming up.

There are four photos, two of males and two of females. The fact that there is an equal amount of photos of men and women shows that they have a unisex target audience. One of the photos is of a group but the rest are of solo artists.

Billboard is split into three parts; the charts, the page numbers and descriptions, and what is not in the magazine. These categories make it easier to look for what you want.

In this magazine contents page there is a smaller masthead in the corner of the left side of the No1 charts, the title CONTENTS, the date, issue number, and the webpage. However, there is not a place for subscribe section, a competition, an editor’s note or a photograph credit.

Contents Analysis: Music Magazine - XXL



On the top of the XXL contents page, there is a title saying ‘'doin’ lines’' with a smaller sub-heading under that says ‘'B.o.B fills in all the blanks'’. On the right, there is the main image. The main image takes up most of the contents page. There is only one image in the XXL contents page. The picture of B.o.B is the main image. On the right, there is the page numbers and descriptions of what is on that page.

At the bottom of the page, there is the issue number, the date, the XXL web address, and the mini masthead right at the bottom of the page on the right side. In the contents page they have not included the word ‘Contents’, a subscription section, contact details, a competition, an editors letter, or a photography credit. The colour scheme is black, white, and red, which has been continued from the front cover. XXL contents page is split into two sections, the main image and the pages.

 

Contents Analysis: Music Magazine - Q

Q has two images on the contents page. The main image is of The Courteeners. The other image is of Nick Cave. Both images have men, which could mean that the magazine is targeted at men and the artists could be role models. The magazine could also be targeted at women and the artists being heartthrob.

On the right, there is the features page numbers and the every Month page numbers. On the left, there is the main image with a sub-line and the page number that the image is related to with it. At the bottom, there is the review page numbers and the other image with again with a sub-line and the page number that the image is related to.

At the top of the contents page there is a mini masthead, the word ‘Contents’, the issue number, the date, and the Q web address. The Q contents page does not include a subscription section, contact info, a competition, an editor’s letter, and a photography credit.

The Q contents page is split into three sections, the main image, the page numbers, and the review pages.

 

 

Contents Analysis: Music Magazine - The Fly

The Fly contents page has two sections, the main image and the page numbers. The main image takes up most of the contents page.

 

The image has a page number at the bottom that is related to it. The page numbers are not split into different sections like features and every month.

 

On The Fly contents page there is the word ‘Contents’, the date, and a photography credit. However The Fly contents page do not the issue number, a subscription section, contact info, a competition, mini masthead, or an editor’s letter. The fact that The Fly magazine is an online magazine a web address is not needed.

 

Also, the main image is staring right into the readers eyes, which then attracts many potential readers into it. Overall, this contents page is very simple and has only got 78 pages in the magazine, which is small compared to many music magazines.

 

Additionally, this contents page hasn't got a page number underneath on the bottom right corner. 

	No. of images	No. of sections	Layout of contents	Features in Contents page	Features not in contents page.
Billboard	4	5	Split- Chart, up front, Features, music in every issue.	Mini Masthead Title, Date, Issue, Page number, Web address.	Subscription, Competition, Editor’s note, photography credit.
XXL	1	1	One section	Mini Masthead, Title, Date, Issue, Web address.	Subscription, Competition, Editor’s note, photography credit
Q	2	4	Split- Special features, every month, Review.	Mini Masthead, Title, Date, Issue number, web address.	Subscription, Competition, Editor’s note, photography credit
The Fly	1	1	One section	Title, Date, Photograph credit	Issue number, Web address, Subscription, Competition, Editors note, Mini masthead.
Possibly in my contents page	2 to 3 images	4 sections	Split- Every issue, Features, top downloads, No1 hits.	Mini Masthead, Title, Date, Issue number, Web address.

Comparison

Images:

The Fly and XXL both have one image. Q has two but Billboard has the most images at four. This seems to be above the average.

Sections:

The average number of sections seems to be two or three. I think this because Billboard and Q both have three and The Fly and XXL both have two sections.

Page Numbers:

Q and Billboard have split their page numbers into different sections of Features, Every Month, etc, while The Fly and XXL put them into one section.

Features in Magazine:

All the magazines include an issue number, the date, and a mini masthead. Also every magazine but XXL include the word ‘Contents’, and all but the online magazine The Fly include a web address. Only The Fly includes a photograph credit. None of the magazine included a subscription section, contact info, a competition, or an editor’s note.

Analysis: music magazine (front cover)

Textual Analysis: Music Magazine Front Page - Vibe

Colour Scheme:
The colour scheme is orange, black and white. They have the plain colours, black and white which make the orange stand out. The orange looks bold, bright and eye-catching. Nicki Minaj, the woman in the main image, has orange hair, which then goes with the coverlines. She is known for her different colour hair, so it is fitting that they use a bright colour for her hair. Her hair is different because people do not normally have orange hair so it draws people’s attention to the magazine.

Masthead
The masthead is big and bold. The bold font makes the magazine more noticeable, which will help the magazine to sell. The bigger the masthead the more likely the customer are going to pick this magazine to buy. The masthead is orange which ties into the colour scheme.

The Selling Line
The selling line is ‘PURPLE SUITS, WHITE KICKS AND A $30K DRESS’. This gives an idea of what is inside without giving the full details of the stories. Also, it is there to make makes people want to know more and to get as many people to buy.

Cover-lines
The cover-lines are different sizes, font and different colours, this is to give the attention to the specific cover-lines. This draws the attention of the customers and gets them interested. The boldest cover-lines are on the topics of most interest, so the potential customers are drawed in.

The Main Image
The main image is of Nicki Minaj. She is wearing a crown, which could suggest that she is the best at what she does, which is rapping. Her pose shows confidence and strength. Also, her clothing blends in or does with the background.

Target Audience
The target audience for vibe is young, out going personalities. They want to make a statement and keep up to date to the new trends. Nikki Minaj is a good person for the cover as she has all these personalities and people look up to her. The age group for vibe is likely to be between 14-24. Vibe appeals to both the male and female market.

Textual Analysis: Music Magazine Front Page - Billboard
 

The masthead
The masthead is big, bold and is in san serif the colours in the middle of b, o, a, and d doesn’t necessarily go with the rest of the magazine but it is a logo that is always the same in every issue.

The Main Image
The main image is of Lady Gaga, a singer well known for her innovative fashion style. The image resembles an image from a high fashion magazine. This is because of the black and white black and white camera effect, which gives a vintage and classic look which high fashion portrays; the pose, which is a pose that usually is associated with high fashion models; and her outfit appeals to discerning fashionistas. Her outfit that she wears reflect Lady Gaga fashion sense. She has the heels with no heels, a big hat or head accessory, and a leather dress. Her make up is also exaggerated which still matches her style. The background is plain maybe because they want to focus on Lady Gaga.

Selling line
The selling line says ‘BORN THIS WAY’ IS OUR 100TH NO. 1. This could mean that this issue of the magazine focuses on Lady Gaga.

Cover-line
There is only one cover-line, which says Lady Gaga. The word Gaga is very big and bold, and spreads across the whole magazine and Lady is very small and fits in the first G of Gaga. This could mean they are focusing on people seeing the word Gaga first. This could be because the symbol of Gaga that she has created only needs one word to sell it, or they want to focus on how gaga she is. Since the selling line talks only about Lady Gaga, the rest of the magazine cover is only about her.

Colours
The colours in this issue of the billboard magazine are mainly white, black, and grey. The colours are consistent and simple. This specific issue may not appeal to a younger audience as the colours are dull.

Typography
The font for Lady Gaga is serif, which gives the impression of a classy or formal magazine. This follows the theme of a high fashion style of magazine for music.

Target Audience
The target audience are people that are up to date with music and with fashion. They will be keeping up the trends, as Lady Gaga is one of the modern icons, so are trend followers. They target age is 18-24 years. The billboard is also targeted for both men and women.

Textual Analysis: Music Magazine Front Page - Vibe

 

Denotation:The magazine cover shows a coloured
photograph of a man looking at the camera. It is a mid-shot which shows just
about shows the top of his waist. The background of the photograph is red, and
the photograph covers the whole of the magazine front cover. Behind the man is
the VIBE Masthead, and in front of him are four separate cover-lines in white
& yellow going down along the sides. The photographed man’s name is written
in bold and is in yellow & white. A bar code is visible in the bottom left corner.

Masthead:
VIBE's masthead is simple: The
font is easy to read & it is in Sans Serif which could suggest that it’s
modern; the colour used for the masthead is white. In the music industry the
word "vibe" is to feel the music and have insight to it. This normally involves
swaying of the body and head, or bobbing to the beat and sound of the
music.

Character:
The cover photograph is of the successful American rapper & songwriter ‘Rick Ross’.

Composition:
He is posed in a very arrogant, insolent, almost careless kind of way.

Costume:

He is topless & showing lots of cleavage. He is also wearing several diamond chains & a pair of sunglasses.

NVC:
His non-verbal communication is very
indolent. He is also biting his lip which is a sign of seduction for both males
and females.

Lighting:
The lighting in this photography is high key & very clear.

Setting:
The photograph setting isn’t clear, but it
looks like a photo-shoot studio with a red
background.

 

Cover-lines:The main cover line that relates to the
photograph says: “Rick Ross: Too Sexy for His Shirt”. This is making reference
to his topless cover photograph. The words‘Rick’ and ‘Ross’ are both different
sizes, ‘Ross’ is bigger than ‘Rick’ and it’s indented. The words Rick and ‘Too
Sexy’ are written in the same colour (Yellow). The cover line relates to the
photograph because the selling line of the magazine is ‘The Sexy
Issue’.

Target Audience:
Considering all these points and factors, the likely target audience would be people females aged 18-40. They would have a good knowledge of the popular music culture that
he represents which is Hip-Hop/Rap.