Final Evaluation

For my Media Coursework I was tasked with creating 3 pages from a music magazine. The pages which I was asked to do where the front page, contents page and a double page spread. I would have to design the pages, take the photographs and also write the articles and content. For this project we were advised to work on our own, which I did. Before I did my main task, to create the magazine pages, I had to go through several stages. First I would have to complete a preliminary task, and then also conduct research into magazines. Once these were complete, I could then start creating the magazine, which a head full of knowledge on the subject.
Like I have mentioned in the introduction, prior to creating my actual magazine pages I need to conduct several pieces of research, in order to see what is successful in terms of sales etc for magazines. What genre would be best? These are all questions I needed to ask in order for my product to be the best. The first thing I did was to actually look at and analyse front covers to see if certain things were used on all magazines, and also to see what layouts etc magazines frequently used. From this I found out several things about the things front covers used in order to get people to look at there product and even draw them into buying it. The first thing I found was how colour schemes are used throughout front covers. Front covers also use large , bold text in order for the viewer to read what is in the magazine and the features, but also so they find it hard to miss the text. As well as researching front covers etc, I also conducted some market research to find out what sold best and what didn’t etc. From this I found Rock magazines sold the best, with Soul and Indie magazines coming quite a way behind. From this I decided to create a magazine based upon a Metal/Rock genre. I did this as for one, I knew they sold well, and I also knew a lot on the subject.

As well as research I also had to complete a preliminary task before I did the actual task in hand. For this task I had to create a front cover of a college magazine, which would show I could use the software needed to make the magazine pages. I did this with relative ease, as I already knew how to use the software, due to me using them for the past two years. I decided to call it College Times and then just have a picture of a student on the front cover, holding a media book. I did the latter as the issue featured AS results, of which Media did the best. I then placed several lines of text around the cover, with details of what was in the magazine. Now that I had finished the pre lim task and started my research, I could then start creating my magazine pages.
The first page I started on was my front cover. But before this I had to take my photographs for my magazine to do this I had to decided whether to take them at a live gig or in the studio. I had these options as I personally know the band so was permitted to photograph them in either. In the end I chose the live option. I attended the gig, which was in Leeds at a small pub. Luckily they had adequate lighting. But whilst there I encountered several problems. The main problem was how I was unable to photograph the bassist, due to lighting. Unfortunately the bassist was directly under a light, meaning any shot I took was just full of the lights colour, or under/over exposed. This also meant I couldn’t get a full shot of the whole band playing. But I was able to get good shots of the drummer, and the guitarist as well as the singer. After this I uploaded them onto the computer where I edited them accordingly.
Now I had my photos I could proceed with making my front cover. I decided to make the majority of my photos black and white, as I thought they looked much nicer. I sifted through my ten or so edited shots that were fit for use, and then picked the one I thought would look best. After this I added the text needed, and then the red blocks etc on to the front cover.

Audience Testing.

Questions

1. Do you like the front cover? If not, why?
2.Does the contents page do its job effectively?
3. Is the article good, in terms of content? does it look good?
4. What faults if any, are there with the sample pages?
5.Would you buy the magazine if it was published every month?

1st Tester ( angus, 23 yr old)

Q1. yes, I think the image is very good. Plus, it stands out. The colour scheme, text, layout all look good to me.
Q2.yes. simple, very effective. Shows you where all the features of the magazines are.
Q3.Article is quite short, but what there is of it It is good. Good topics, good information about the band.
Q4. Like mentioned, the article is a tad short, and the double page is very plain. A bit of colour and maybe more images would make it much better.
Q5.Possibly, if the mistakes are rectified.

2nd tester ( Dean , 22yr old)

Q1. Yes, I like how the image dominates the cover, making it stand out, and it draws you to it. Colours used are also good, as is the text and layout
Q2. Simple layout, and it works. Nothing wrong with it , does the job it needs to.
Q3.Arcticle is a good read, good read. Could do with brightening the page up, and perhaps a few more images?
Q4.Arcticle too short, double page a bit bland. Layout of all pages could be improved.
Q5.Maybe, I like the article, in terms of the style of writing and content, so there is promise there.

3rd Tester ( Chris 19 yr old )

Q1. Hmm, Im not sure. It all seems too cramped, with everything at the bottom. The text could be better, to fit with the genre a bit more?
Q2. Very good. Simple but good. Colours used are nice.
Q3. Great article, a really good read. The page overall could do with some more colour, as it could with some more images?
Q4. Double page spread needs improving, as does the front cover. Apart from that its good.
Q5. If the mistakes are corrected, and it maintains a good feature every month, yes i would.

4th Tester ( Nick, 16 yr old )

Q1. I like the colours used, which make it stand out. Plus the image used is really good.
Q2. Simple, and very effective.
Q3. Tad too short, page very boring ( not much happening) But the article is a good read, very interesting and tells you a lot.
Q4. As of above.
Q.5 Possibly, would have to browse through it in the shop first! haah!

Audience Testing.

For the past few days I have been asking several of my target audience what they think of my magazine. The questions I asked were as follows

How does the content of the double page spread compare to that of a magazine you regulary read?

Does the front cover appeal to you? If so why, if not why?

Does the contents page give you a clear idea of the actual contents of the magazine, and do its job correctly?

Would you buy this magazine monthly if another issue was produced?

Out of 10, what would you give it? Going on the front cover, contents page and the article. Taking into account the content, design etc.

Summary

Overall my magazine was recieved well by my testers. They really liked the front cover, aswell as the contents page. Aswell as this, all really liked the style of my article, and the content of it. Most gave the magazine a mark of 7/8 , with one giving a 9.

above are all my finished products. front cover, contents page and my double spread.

also, over the weekend i attended a gig where deaf circuit played. i managed to get 10 or so shots i can use, but unfortunalty i encountered some problems. such as overexposure on certain band members, meaning i couldn't get a group shot that was fir for use. however this is a taster of the pictures i have taken

this is now the updated version of the article, there isn't much change in the content of the magazine, but this is now grammatically correct and ready to go.

Blackburn. It is quite possibly one of the dullest towns in the entire British Isles. But one band are setting out to change all that, however hard it may be. Enter Deaf Circuit, who cover too many genres to list. However to give you a taster, metal, rock, concrete metal and hardcore punk are all on the bands CV! Having released two EP’s back in 2008, the band are now gearing up to release there first fully professionally produced album, aptly named “Deaf Circuit”. I was invited down to the studio in East Lancashire to get a sneak preview and have a chat with the guys.

 

Once we hit track 4 I seriously need some time out. Deaf Circuit is being blasted out of the small converted barn studios heavy sound system, and I am literally blown away. The album carries a huge sound, and by the time you get a quarter of the way through you really do need a break.

 

Rick, the lead singer was aiming for this effect right from the get go, “Yeah, its what we wanted. We want someone to listen to the album and not forget about us for weeks. Hopefully they will remember it because of how good it is. But, if not, were happy for them to remember us as the band who left there ears ringing for weeks!”

 

Angus, the lead guitarist, goes on to state how harsh the recording process has been. “We have been starting at 9am in the morning, and finishing at nine at night, around three times a week, for a month or so, and its been hard. I don’t think it would have been half as bad if we played lighter stuff, but, due to us playing heavy music, I really think it is heavier to record. I’ll tell you the truth, I am fucked!” We soldier on through the LP and, by the time we get to the last two tracks, I am excited. The album is bound to be a success. It’s a magnificent album, and, hopefully, they will get the recognition they deserve. It’s a 12 track LP, and yet they have no record deal. All the money has come out of there own pockets, and for the amount of sessions they have done, that’s a lot of money.

 

Out of the five band members, two work, whilst the other three don’t. Rick, Danny and Michael are all student’s, so the recording process has hit them hard. But despite this, the band are proud that they have received no backing at all. They have done it themselves, and what ever rewards come from the album, they will certainly be reaping them!

 

Michael explains, “We never wanted a record deal. Fuck that. Why would we?  I mean yeah you get a nice advance, but so what! It’s not like you get to keep it, is it? I’m all for bands like Fugazi, who basically give a massive two finger salute to the clean shirts in their swanky offices in London and such. Fugazi did it on there own and look at them now, they’re huge.”

 

Hearing this you may be thinking that they think they are destined to get to the top, but you would be wrong. They are one of the most down to earth groups I have yet had the pleasure to meet. Angus goes on “There are two ways this could go, the good way and the bad way. We’re taking a massive risk here. We have all taken out loans to get this LP out there, and if it backfires, like we see all too often, then so be it. If we fail with this album, well have a few months out, and then get back to it. We won’t quit, not yet at least. Maybe in 10 years when we have had fuck all recognition, maybe then we’ll call it a day.”

 

Along with their new album, the band are set to go on tour for the first time. Prior to this they have rarely ventured out of Lancashire. “We’re all excited. We’re taking our music to the masses, and that is something I really get a buzz out off” Rick comments.

 

The tour, which has 16 planned dates, spans from their local pub, right to down to Portsmouth. “It’s pretty big yeah, the tour that is! I mean the venues aren’t exactly massive, I think the biggest venue booked can hold about fifteen hundred, which will do me fine.” Danny says triumphantly!

 

So, things seem to be looking up for Deaf Circuit. With a new LP on the way, followed by a huge tour, the band can finally look forward to getting out of Blackburn. “Ha ha, yeah it’s a bit of a dump. I mean I live in Leeds at University so it aint all that bad for me, but I feel for the other guys who live here full time! I’m looking forward to getting out on the road, It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Hopefully, the album will get some coverage abroad, and, fingers crossed, well get to go on a jolly in Europe!” Michael may be aiming high here, but I don’t see why they can’t do it. I am impressed, a lot with the new LP.

 

But things haven’t been all rosy with the band. Having been created by the five in a college class, things started very well but soon hit a wall. Rick explains, “Yeah, we sort off ran out of ideas. I mean we knew we were a Heavy Rock / Metal band, but we just couldn’t write songs for shit. I mean we all disagree with playing covers, It’s all well and good when you have made it, but I feel it shouldn’t happen when you’re a small band trying to prove yourself. So, we all took six months out, got listening to the music we love again, and really hit it off. We got our own rehearsals room, and, from then on, we haven’t looked back. We have all improved as musicians, the level of skill we now have on Bass, Guitar and Drums is phenomenal. Not to mention my vocals! This is why I am 99% confident the LP will be a success.”

 

The LP is due to be released in two months, and the first night of the tour commences at the Cellar Bar in Blackburn on 30^th March.

this is my article. all that needs doing to it is to add the name of my magazine once i have decided upon one

Blackburn. It is quite possibly one of the dullest towns in the entire British Isles. But one band are setting out to get that all changed, however hard it may be. Enter Deaf Circuit, who cover to many genres to list. However to name a few, metal, rock, concrete metal and hardcore punk are all on the bands CV! Having released two EP’s back in 2008, the band are now gearing up to release there album, aptly named “Deaf Circuit”. I was invited down to the studio in East Lancashire to get a sneak preview and have a chat with the guys.

 

Once we hit track 4 I seriously need some time out. Deaf Circuit is being blasted out of the small barn converted studios heavy sound system, and I literally am blown away. The album carries a huge sound, and by the time you get a quarter of the way through you really do need a break. Rick, the lead singer was aiming for this effect right from the get go, “yeh its what we wanted. We want someone to listen to the album and not forget about us for weeks, hopefully they will remember it because of how good it is, but if not were happy for them to remember us as the band who left there ears ringing for weeks!” Angus the lead guitarist goes on to state how harsh the recording process has been, “we have been starting at 9am in the morning, and finishing at 9 at night, around 3 times a week, for a month or so, and its been hard. I don’t think it would have been half as bad if we played lighter stuff, but due to us playing heavy music, I really think it is heavier to record. I’ll tell you the truth, I am fucked” We soldier on through the LP, and by the time we get to the last two tracks I am excited. The album is bound to be a success, it’s a magnificent album, and hopefully they will get the recognition they deserve. It’s a 12 track LP, and they have no record deal. All the money has come out of there own pockets, and for the amount of sessions they done, that’s a lot of money. Out of the 5 band members, two work, whilst the other three don’t. Rick, Danny and Michael are all Student’s, which has hit them hard. But despite this, the band are proud that they have received no backing at all. They have done it them selves, and what rewards come from the album, they will certainly be reaping them! Michael explains, “We never wanted a record deal. Fuck that. Why would we?  I mean yeh you get a nice advance, but so what! Its not like you get to keep it, is it. I’m all for bands like Fugazi, who basically give a massive two finger salute to the clean shirts in there swanky offices in London and such. Fugazi did it on there own and look at them now, there huge” Hearing this you may be thinking that they think they are destined to get to the top, but you would be wrong. They are one of the most down to earth groups I am yet to meet. Angus goes on “There are two ways this could go, the good way and the bad way. Were taking a massive risk here. We have all taken loans to get this LP out there, and if it backfires, like we see all to often, then so be it. If we fail with this album, well have a few months out, and then get back to it. We won’t quit, not yet at least. Maybe in 10 years when we have had fuck all recognition, maybe then well call it a day.”

 

Along with their new album, the band are set to go on tour for the first time. Prior to this they have rarely ventured out of Lancashire. “Were all excited. Were taking our music to the masses, and that is something I really get a buzz off” Rick comments. The tour, which has 16 planned dates, spans from there local pub, right to down to Portsmouth. “Its pretty big yeh, the tour that is! I mean the venues aren’t exactly massive, I think the biggest venue booked can hold about fifteen hundred, which will do me fine.” Danny says triumphantly!

 

So things seem to be looking up for Deaf Circuit. With a new LP on the way, followed by a huge tour, the band can finally look forward to getting out of Blackburn. “Haha, yeh it’s a bit of a dump. I mean I live in Leeds at University so it aint all that bad for me, but I feel for the other guys who live here! I’m looking forward to getting on the road, its something I’ve always wanted to do. Hopefully, the album will get some coverage abroad, and fingers crossed well get to go on a jolly in Europe!” Michael may be aiming high here, but I don’t see why they can’t do it. I am impressed, a lot with the new LP. But things haven’t been all rosy with the band. Having been created by the five in a college class, thing started very well but hit a wall. Rick explains “Yeh, we sort of ran out of ideas. I mean we knew we were a Heavy Rock / Metal band, but we just couldn’t right songs for shit. I mean we all disagree with playing covers, its all well and good when you have made it, but I feel it shouldn’t happen when you’re a small band trying to prove yourself. But we all took six months out, got listening to the music we love again, and really hit it off. We got our own rehearsals room, and from then we haven’t looked back. We have all improved as musicians, the level of skill we have on Bass, Guitar and Drums is phenomenal. Not to mention my vocals! This is why I am 99% confident the LP will be a success.”

 

The LP is due to be released in two months, and the first night of the tour is commencing at the Cellar Bar in Blackburn on 30^th March.