Music Magazine Questionnaire Write-up

   For part of my AS media I had to create a questionnaire based on music magazines to find out as much as I could about what people want to find in magazines and what they know about magazines. I asked 10 people of different sexes and ages to get a varied view.

   The first question I asked was very basic, Are you male or female? I asked this so I could compare what people of different sexes thought especially as I am deciding on making my target audience females. The majority of people I asked were females. However I did ask a few males which mean I will be able to compare my results. The reason I chose to ask a few more females is because I am planning on targeting my audience at females so I wanted to know a bit more of what females would want and expect to find in a music magazine. 

   The second question I asked was, What is your age? The main reason for asking this was to find out whether different age groups prefer certain genres or expect to find different things in magazines. The majority of people I asked were in the age range of 16-19 however a few were either under 15 or over the age of 23. I think it is good I asked a lot of teenagers as their view is most important to me because I am definitely targeting older teenagers.

   Thirdly I asked, How often do you buy music magazines? This is to find out whether my magazine would actually sell very well to my target audience. The results showed that nearly everyone I asked never buy music magazines except from one, who fortunately was in the age range of 16-19. However this is a big problem for me as I cannot guarantee my magazine will sell very well, but in the future I could make a website which would be more interactive and modern. Furthermore I could have a radio station or television channel. I also asked, if never why not? Some of the answer were simply they prefer to listen to the radio than read about music and they would rather hear about music. This then backs up my idea of creating a radio station or music channel which could be very successful.

   My fourth question was, What is your favourite music genre? I asked this because I wanted to know what would be the most popular genre to do a magazine for to make my magazine the most successful. My results showed that Pop was definitely the most popular music genre and then Indie and R&B were the second most popular. This is helpful as it has helped me decide on the genre of my magazine. I have decided to create a pop magazine as hopefully it would be very successful. Also many R&B artists also perform some pop songs which can widen my audience.

   The next question I asked was, What would you want to find in a music magazine? I asked this as I wanted to know a little more about what people want and like to read in magazines because I am sure they do not want to read everything. The choices I gave were interviews, reviews, both and other. The majority of people I asked would like to find both interviews and reviews in a music magazine however some only wanted to find interviews. So if I was to make a whole magazine I would include both interviews and reviews however maybe a few more interviews. I think people would prefer interviews because they feel like the information given is much more reliable as it is what the artist said.

   My sixth question I asked was about the colour scheme. I asked, What colour scheme would you like to see on a Pop magazine?  A lot of people preferred the more common colours which are on magazines at the moment like black, white and red however I do not want to use these colours as I want my magazine to stand out on the shelf and be different, also I do not want consumers to get confused. The same amount of people I asked liked the colour scheme of black, white and pink. Following on with black, grey and pink; because these two colour schemes are very similar I have decided I will use all the colours for my magazine as I know people will like the colour scheme and it is also different from other popular magazines, such as Kerrang and Top of the Pops.

   I then asked a question based on the layout of magazines. It said, Which magazine layout do you prefer? I gave four choices so it was not too hard to choose but I made sure they were all very different so I could compare easily what people prefered. These were the magazine covers I used in my questionnaire:

Two people thought Vibe had the best layout, no one thought NME had the best layout, two people thought smash hits had the best layout and then six people decided Q had the best layout. I also asked their reason for their decision and the people who chose Q and Vibe as their favourite all said it was because they recognised the artist and it was not messy which made it seem of higher quality. The people who chose Smash Hits as their favourite layout said it was because the colours were very appealing and grabbed their attention.

   My final question I asked said, If a magazine had a website would you visit it? And why?  The results showed an even result as 5 people said yes and 5 said no. I asked this question to find out whether the internet is more popular than actually reading magazines. I think have a website would be much better as it I easier to subscribe for the magazine rather than having to send off any forms and it is also more interactive. The people who said no they would no look at the website of a magazine said that it was because they are more likely to see the magazine in a shop than advertised on the internet. Furthermore, they said it was because again they would rather listen to music than read about it. However the people who said yes said they would look a the magazine on the internet because they find it so much more accessible and it is also free.

   In conclusion, I think by doing a questionnaire about my magazine, it has helped me make some big deicisons. I have decided my colour scheme, my target audience, what to include in my magazine and also whether I would like to, in the future, create a website or not. The question which has helped me the most is my seventh question about magazine layouts. I have deicded to create a very neat and simple layout so my consumers do not get confused or feel they are buying a low quality magazine. Furthermore, as I am targeting older teenagers I would like my magazine to be more mature.

Music Magazine Questionnaire

   I have created a music magazine questionnaire to find out as much information
I can about how to layout my magazine and what to include in it. I asked 8
questions which were not too detailed and were clear. I handed out 10
questionnaires to both males and females of different ages to get a balanced
view.

Music Magazine Questionnaire

I am an AS Media student at Woking College creating a music magazine. I would

appreciate it if you could take the time to complete my questionnaire on music

magazines. I will be using the results and then comparing them. This will help

 me create the most suitable magazine for my audience.

(Tick the appropriate boxes.)

1)      Are you:

2)      What is your age?

3a)  How often do you buy music magazines?

 b)  If never why not?

    _________________________________________________________

    _________________________________________________________

    _________________________________________________________

4a)  What is your favourite music genre?

   b) If other please state ____________________________________________

 5a) What would you want to find in a music magazine?

   b) If other please state ____________________________________________

 6) What colour scheme would you like to see on a Pop magazine?

  7a) Which magazine layout do you prefer?

    b) Why?

 __________________________________________________________

 __________________________________________________________

 __________________________________________________________

   8a) If a magazine had a website would you visit it?

b) Why?

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Magazine Write Up - Representations and Conventions

I looked at four magazines which were different genres. I looked at a Pop magazine called Top of the Pops, two Rock magazines called Q and Kerrang, then finally a hybrid which focused on R&B, Hip Hop and Urban music called RWD (Rewind). I am writing this report to compare all the magazines and find out how magazines use conventions and use their images to represent different things to attract their target audience.

Front Cover

Front covers are all very similar when it comes to what they contain. They all follow certain conventions like banners, cover lines, main images and a masthead. Most of these conventions are used to grab the attention of potential readers and make their magazine stand out more than others. I noticed that all magazines had a colour theme which ran through the whole magazine. The colours used on some magazines like Kerrang and Q are quite dark and rebellious which represents the rock genre which both these magazines offer. The masthead, on all the magazines I analysed, was at the top and the biggest typeface on the page making it stand out the most. I also noticed that all the magazines had a bar code, except RWD which is free, which noticeable but was kept out of the way as well, so it did not draw attention to it. It made the magazines look much more professional. The best magazine I analysed was Kerrang as it contains the most conventions and represented its genre through colour effectively. The colour also helps readers interact with the magazine as they are mature and more masculine colours and Kerrang’s target audience is the ages of 14-20 and males.

Contents Page

 When I was analysing contents pages I noticed that they all varied. You can have double page spreads and most commonly single page spreads. However even though they were different they still contained the same conventions. The most common conventions were headings, gutters, captions and cover lines. An unpopular convention used was an editorial which I only found in one magazine. I think the best contents page I analysed was Kerrang as it included all conventions clearly and neatly which made it look professional and good quality. I also think Q was a good contents page because it was a double spread so even though there were fewer conventions used, when using certain conventions they used them more than once and also effectively.

Articles

The articles are the pages which have the least conventions but use them a lot. They have a heading, feature, gutters and a stand first. Gutters are used on all of the articles and they are very effective as they make the article seem more professional and newspaper like. All conventions are used to entice the reader, for example the stand first makes the reader want to read the article as it gives a brief introduction about the article. I think the double page spread articles are much better than the single spreads as more can be fit and spread across the page and does not seem tightly packed. This ensures that everything is read on the page.

In conclusion I found that every page in a magazine will use similar conventions to attract the attention of the audience. The images which are used in music magazines are always to attract the readers attention. For example, Cheryl Cole was used on the front cover to attract males because of her sex appeal. I will use all these conventions and techniques when I construct my own music magazine hoping it will have an excellent layout and if it was to be put on a shelf it would be successful.

Magazine Write Up - Layouts

I looked at four magazines which were different genres. I looked at a Pop magazine called Top of the Pops, two Rock magazines called Q and Kerrang, then finally a hybrid which focused on R&B, Hip Hop and Urban music called RWD (Rewind). I am writing this report to compare all the magazines and find out any similarities and differences in magazine layouts.

Front Cover

The layout of music magazines are very professional and look of good quality. The front cover always have a main image which takes up the majority of the page and then everything else is around the image. The image never really has writing over it. However this contrast with RWD's magazine which I analysed and the artist, Jessie J, had typefaces across her cheek. They are also layed out clearly so the reader knows exactly who the main feature it, if you cannot recognise the main feature, the most obvious cover line will be related to it. I liked how professional the front cover look and I think the amount of detail on all of the magazines was the right amount because I enjoy looking mainly at pictures which is what the majority of magazines had on them. My favourite magazine was RWD as it did not follow the usual layout and was different which attracted me to it. In addition, I am a big fan of Jessie J whereas I am not a fan of rock music which is what Kerrang! And Q offer things on.

Contents Page

The contents page can be a double page spread but is most commonly across one page. If there is a main image it is either in the middle or at the top of the page, drawing attention to it. The cover lines always have sub headings helping to structure the page well and help orientate the reader. Moreover, they sometimes have captions under the cover line which is another way to entice the reader. The masthead is usually always at the top however again RWD contrasted with this and had the masthead in the middle. The contents page is also much busier than the front cover as it does not need to attract the reader as much as they would now of already brought the magazine, which is why there is much more writing on the contents page. Also colour is a key thing used in contents page as it always links closely with the front cover. I think the way the magazines set out their contents page was very effective and clear. All of the four I analysed had different layout which gave me more of an insight into how music magazine are made. The best contents page was Q. This is because by having it on a double page spread, it made it seem important unlike the others. I felt if I did not read the contents page I might miss out on something. It also only used a few colours, similar to the other magazines, which made it look more need a professional. I also likes the structure of the contents page, I felt it was easy to find what I was looking for as it was under two simple headings. Moreover, each cover line had a caption underneath giving a small hint into what I could be reading, this made me want to find out more of what each feature was about.

Articles

Articles can be a single or double page spread and are usually set out with a larger picture of who the feature is about, a heading, strap line and then the article. I also noticed all articles, whether they were an interview or just about a band, had gutters. This was very effective as it made the article more professional by making it newspaper like. Also readers will be familiar with that layout and not struggle to read it. I think a double page spread is much more effective than a single page spread because it seems like it has a sense of important if it gets to have two pages rather than one. The single page spread articles looked more like they had to fit everything in and looked more cramp.

In conclusion I found that every page in a magazine will have a similar layout and all pages use a narrative device which guides the reader around the page. They do this by using different conventions which are very effective. I will use all these conventions when I construct my own music magazine hoping it will have an excellent layout and if it was to be put on a shelf it would be successful.

Kerrang! Double Page Spread Analysis

   
This article, from Kerrang, I am analysing is about a famous rock band called Architects who have been around for 8 years and have now decided to change their typical metal music to more melodic music. Architects are bringing out a new album and this article tells you why they have changed their music choice now and why their album is called “Here and Now”.

  
The article has been structured very clearly. It is a double page spread with the band on the right hand side. This is because when you turn a magazine page you usually the the right page first, and the bold heading is what the magazine wants you to see first. It has gutters and is set out in a newspaper like layout which makes it look professional and neat. Typefaces are put over images to show what the caption is relating to and which band member. It also separates the information about the album from the information about the band by putting it in a yellow box, contrasting with the black background behind it making it stand out; making sure the reader remembers to read it and not miss it out. The layout of this double page article is very professional and makes it seem of good quality.

  
Throughout the article, the writer lists things a lot. This helps the article flow at a quick pace like Architect's music, it also gives a mysterious edge and makes the reader want to carry on reading, it feels as if the article is shocking and only available in this magazine and you have to read it straight away. It is also very formal because no colloquial language is used which contrast with its young target audience. However it makes the article seem more serious, as it is talking about people criticising their music change and they feel they need to let everyone no that what they are doing is not wrong.

  
The main image on the left hand side is employing a combination of indirect and direct mode of address because they are trying to show how relaxed they are and pleased they are with their decision of changing their music. By doing this it draws the attention of the reader into the article however it does not make you loose concentration while you are reading the article as they are not all looking at the camera, you will not focus on them as much. The facial expressions they are making relate to the artist on the front cover as they are pulling funny faces. This makes the article seem positive and happy. It also meets their target audience as younger people are always having fun and also males are more childish than females.

  
The strong house style throughout the whole magazine is carried on in this article by its use of yellow, white and black. However the colour red is not used anymore. Red connotes danger, which relates more to the rock genre. As Architects are changing there music genre then this colour does not relate to them as much however it does compare to their fashion which is very rock like and we can this in the images. The heading is extremely big grabbing the readers attention straight away and the colour yellow also helps to do this.

  
A very conventional thing about this article is that before the article starts it has a strap line which is just giving a brief introduction into what the article is about. By using this it entices the reader and makes them want to read more, it also lets them know and understand what they are reading and not get lost in the article.

Kerrang! Contents Page Analysis

The target audience for this rock magazine is the ages between 14-20 and the majority of the audience are males. Which is a good reason why the contents page is only over one page because younger generation do not like to read as much.

  
The contents page is split into two halves; the top half with the main images,a few smaller pictures and the masthead, then the bottom half is the features. The top half is focusing on the article about Rob Zombie. He is not featured on the front cover but Kerrang are using the contents page to focus on another artist, grabbing the readers attention. This is because it has more room to show features and show the readers even more they can read.

  
The majority of the page is images but there is a fair amount of writing making it equal. The page is well structured as every feature is under a sub heading which is a narrative device making the reader read certain things first and guide them through the magazine. The heading is at the top in the left hand corner, it states clearly what this page is but because it is quite small it does not draw much attention away from the main image. The images at the top next to the main images have captions over the top of them letting the reader know which image it is relating to. It also gives a rebel-like effect as it is overlapping the image making it not as neat. By having the cover lines in columns it makes the page look much more professional.

  
A conventional thing which Kerrang have included on their contents page is an editorial. This is a statement    made by the editor of the magazine which gives the reader more of a connection with the magazine, it also gives an insight into the creators of the magazine. The image also helps to make the connection as you can actually see who wrote it and who the editor is. The editor addresses the reader by using informal language which makes the reader feel like they know her and the image helps this.

  
The colours of the contents page follow on from the front cover by using only, black, red, white and yellow. This gives the magazine an overall house style and structures the magazine. The colours used is associated well with the magazine genre of rock as the colours red connote anger and stress. Also the colours yellow and black connote danger. All these colours help the magazine flow well but also relate to the genre because rock is a very loud and screachy type of music.

  
The typefaces used in the contents page are there to stand out. The heading “Contents” is all in upper case making it stand out and seem important. Enticing the reader into reading the heading, which will then make them continue reading all the other stuff on the page. The language the magazine use make it sound as if they know the band well, making the reader feel closer to the band and making them more likely to read the article. The bands names are subheadings and then underneath is a small bit of information. This is very effective as it gives the reader a hint of to what they could be reading but not a lot of information, making the reader want to find out and read all of the article.