Question 1

I followed the conventions of real media products by using themes such as the three colour rule, page numbers, etc. Here are other ways I followed conventions...















There were other ways in which I challenged the conventions seen in my research. Here are some examples...

Question 2

This is an image from Google images of a typical indie / hipster group (my audience). My magazine is aimed at a similar group but possibly a bit younger than the people in this image (12-22), and my magazine is not gender specific either.

My relatively minimalistic use of images relates

                                             to the maturity of the culture of my audience.

Question 3

One magazine which is similar to my genre (indie, alternative + world music news) is NME. We are also similar as we share the word 'New' in our titles, suggesting news and modern contemporary music.

My product would be distributed by the same company as this magazine as it is a similar genre, therefore I looked further into this company (IPC Media) to ensure it was right for my product. I have highlighted the sections which made me think this would be suitable for my product.

Question 4

My product is aimed towards young to middle aged people for example 12-22 year olds, of both genders, with an interest in music (especially indie, rock and pop). Here are some ways I aimed my product to this audience...

I used a QR code as I expect my young audience to have smartphones as they should be up to date with technology, allowing them to scan it and gain quick and easy access to the website.

All my models are either 16 or 17, which is in the middle of my audience's age range. This should help it appeal to a wider spectrum of ages. Here an acoustic guitarcan be seen, reflecting the kinds of music my audince probably listens to.

Although I have no images of girls, they are mentioned in the text. I therefore chose to include models with slightly androgynous looks in my magazine to compensate for this.

 I mention the iTunes store here as most of my audience should be integrated into online consumerism.

I chose Converse as something to win in my competition as UK teens see Converse as trendy as it is a USA import item and is popular in modern teen culture.

Question 5

My magazine's name (nu.wrld) looks a bit like a textism, which should resonate with my young audience. It also has no capitals, which suggests the informality associated with youth.

My magazine attracts a musical audience by using an interview with an upcoming musician who talks about his rise to fame. However, this also appeals to my age range as it can help to inspire young musicians. It also has a very informal tone to it, which helps my audience not to get bored or overwhelmed by technical musical jargon.

The themes and features in my magazine cover a wide variety of music in not just England but across the world, helping to educate my audience and show them different cultures. I also have fun features that will be entertaining but also educational, providing enjoyment as well as knowledge for my young audience.

I appealed to the hipster / indie culture by using a stained brown theme, which connotes vintage styles, which are commonly linked to hipster / indie styles. Also the pictures do not have strong borders but instead fade into the page. I did this to keep my theme flowingthroughout as much of the page as I could.

Question 6

Photoshop:
Here is a quick run-down of my layers in Photoshop for my Front Page.

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DSLR Cameras:
Here is how I creatively used manual camera settings.

Question 7

I opened my preliminary and final products then annotated each on how I have improved with the preliminary in red and my final product in green.

I think overall I have improved a large amount due to a better knowledge and understanding of conventions in media products and also how technologies work to create a final product.

Feedback

Person 1

Positive:

The pictures are good quality and well-shot
It looks like a proper magazine that you might see in a shop
The logo of the magazine is effective and looks individual

Negative:

The colour scheme is simple and it doesn't really stand out

Person 2

Positive:

Looks quite mature and sophisticated
Pages look good and well-arranged
It looks very indie

Negative:

Interview is a bit short

Person 3

Positive:

Contents page looks professional
Artists seem believable / real
Very nice to look at, text is easy on the eyes

Negative:

Interview seems a bit fabricated, one spelling mistake

Taking this feedback into account, I have changed my interview to be more believable and have also made it a bit longer.

ORIGINAL:

NEW VERSION: