Soul Beats Magazine evaluation

We were asked to design a magazine cover as part of a task in groups. We came up with the name ‘Soul Beats’ and over the past few weeks we have been working together to create a music magazine.
We first chose a genre, and at the end, we agreed on a mixture of soul and Hip-hop. This was successful as we all got the chance to put our ideas together. We decided to name the magazine Soul Beats. This was because we think that it is a cross between soul and hip-hop, and that it would appeal to the audience in which we are targeting. One of the main reasons that we chose the title ‘Soul Beats’, is because we wanted a title which reach out to both Men and Ladies, and that would not only appeal to women. We did our research and noticed that many magazines sometimes use features, such as feminine topics, for example, ‘top tips about men’ and these features minimize their audience.

There are many details that we used in order to challenge the forms and conventions of a real music magazine. We included topics that are music related, for example, one of our topics is about a hip-hop artist Jay-Z, and the topic is "is he really back?” The reason that we came up with this idea is because we reviewed many music magazines and compared them and realized that most music magazines include interesting topics about music artists that would attract people to the magazine. Including the most talked about artists at that moment. We also include this in order to catch the attention of the audience. Big words and bright colours were used to make it stand out.
We also included a bar code, issue date and a price in order to relate to a real magazine, as it is one of the essential properties of a magazine.
The masthead is big and bold in order to bring attention towards it and to stand out. We selected a very clear font to ensure that our title was easy to read. We also included a banner as many music magazines include catchy phrases in order to make the magazine more conventional. Our Banner reads ‘its hot, it’s fresh, it’s soul beats’, we chose this phrase as it is catchy and would appeal to our young and urban readers.

When choosing our Genre and title, we also thought about the target audience that we were reaching out to, we realised that our magazine would most appeal to a broad base of multi-cultural consumers. Most of which enjoy urban music, fashion and culture. This is because of the content that is included in the magazine. This magazine wouldn't really appeal to an older audience because they may not necessarily be familiar with the content and artists included in the magazine.
We used different techniques in order to attract our audience. For example, we had a picture of Angie stone, with a caption saying "exclusive interview”. This is a popular artist amongst the urban audience. We also used direct approach with the main image and main story being about young aspiring artists. Again relating to our audience, we decided to use this topic, because there are many young aspiring U.K. artists who may feel inspirited by this topic and more confident about their dreams.We thought that this would be a good way of attracting our target audience.

We believe that Vibe media group would most likely distribute our magazine. Vibe media group is a media group, which distributes Vibe magazine. Vibe magazine is a magazine, which provides a voice and community for the growing popularity of urban music. We believe that they would distribute our magazine because, ‘Soul beats’ aims to recognise urban culture and promote U.K. music to a wider variety. Our magazine has the same aim as Vibe magazine and for this reason; we believe that this institution would distribute our magazine.

When producing this magazine, I think every member of our group individually learned something new. However, personally not only did I learn how to use Photoshop and edit images in the same way as magazines do. I also got a better insight of how to analyse a magazine cover and look at every aspect. Before producing the magazine cover I had a very narrow view of the reasons magazines use particular images and the connotations that were being put across. Nevertheless, after completing the magazine cover I have a better insight and can take the new thing I have learned onto a better level the next time I complete a task.

If I were to create another magazine cover, I would take out more time to plan the photo shoot and decide the props. I would also decide the theme and topics of the magazine before hand to avoid wasting too much time on production.

cover terminology: Planning

These are some of the details of my magazine.

Masthead: Soul Beats -it is big, bold and the font is very visible.

Banner: it's fresh...it's hot,.....it's soul beats : fun and catchy

Main cover image: This is a picture of  a "new UK group" That we made up. their is a connection with the audience as the picture is looking straight.

Bar code, Price and issue number: these are all included to make the magazine look real and saleable

Main cover line : "new UK aspiring artist: Presha J. - this is used to connect with the main image on the cover. 

Magazine Evaluation

For the past couple of weeks we have been creating music magazine covers. Our group created a music magazine cover called Soul Beats which is aimed at the Soul and Hip-Hop fans between the ages of 16 to early and late 20's. In my opinion i think our music magazine cover successfully replicats a convention of a real magazine cover. I say this because firstly we have our masthead in big bold writing as "SOUL BEATS" with the issue number above the masthead and the date below. We have a main cover image which one the artists are looking straight at the camera to attract connection with the audience. Our main cover line reflects our main cover image. Secondly we have two famous celebrities from both background of soul and hip-hop Jay-Z and Angie Stone with cover lines below the images. Thirdly we decided to have a banner attracting our audience to want to read and buy our magazine and also connotations connecting to our magazine e.g. It;s fresh,hot etc. Lastly we included the usual essentional e.g. barcode, issue number, price and cover lines. Our magazine cover represents

Soul Beats Magazine

We were given a task on Wednesday (24/09/08) to design a magazine cover and  an inside starting page. We drafted ideas in Wednesday class and decided which equipments we needed to be equipped with. Monday ( 29/09/08) we took photoshoot in different locations near the college. 

Music Magazine Analysis production and evaluation

"SOUL BEATS"

On wednesday morning we looked at magazines. We looked at the different genres there are and how there target there audience. Dan split the class into groups of three and gave us all each a different cover. Then we was asked to study cover terminology, we had to include mashead, banner, graphic, main cover lmage, cover lines, bar code, price and issue date, mode of address, cover lines, boxed text, main cover line and strapline.

On the lesson we got told about the task to be completed we planned what we would do. We all shared our ideas. Everyone had different opinions how we should portray our magazine but finally we agreed to combined all ideas to one. We though of a title for a magazine planned what we would bring to the next lesson, where we would have our shoot and who would be modelling.

We used original photos for my front cover and some articles. For this I used a professional camera from the photography department from college. Our models used where our selves.

For the articles we used Adobe Photoshop, which I haven’t used properly before. This is where I had some problems. I first tried learning how to use Photoshop myself, therefore I asked for a little help, eventually I did learn. For the mise en scene we gave our models objects such as big headphones for the street theme. The models dressed in theme, which was hip-hop meets soul therefore our hip-hop model dressed in baggy jeans big chain t shirt and trainers whereas our soul model wore a pencil dress, shoes and flower earrings. This was purposely chosen out to attract our audience by giving the models wear clothes that they could relate to or may be interested in, and indicated along with the text that the magazine will have content about hip-hop and soul. My model was looking straight at the camera, as I research and learnt that this attracts the reader from the shelf. We used all big capital letters for my title to stand out from the rest of the text and placed it at the top middle of the page.
The font for my front cover was similar to other existing street magazines since we’re targeting the same type of audience; it’s a strong but playful font.
We mostly used black and white to match the models clothes, however we also included other bright colours like green, yellows, orange, blue, hot pink and purple for some Puffs and buzz words to break the black down and add some colour to the page. The colours used were not very traditional as we are targeting both girls and boys. The models we used do come from an African/ Caribbean background that may represent the reader, as Soul Beats magazine is a hip-hop soul genre magazine, which both comes from a black ethnic background. We also tried making our models to look their age or a little older not to much as we target young adults, for that reason we did not use much make up clothing was quite youthful and lighting was bright. We used one image from the Internet of a soul UK singer. Our puffs contain questions news, statements and freebees. We came to a decision that SOUL BEATS will cost £2.50 after looking at other similar magazine prises and the target reader’s disposable income. Our slogan “ its FRESH…it’s HOT… It’s SOULBEATS…” is included in both issues under everything written in white in a black background to stand out.

Afer the shoot we slit into two groups of two to make two music magazine covers. myslef and Siju was making issue 2 of "SOUL BEATS". From the information we got from Mick we managed to produce a cover suitable for our target readers. We added images of Bryn Christopher because he is a British soul singer and also agreed that the other tow would feature Jay-Z, Angie Stone to attract the readers as this will be the type of artist they listen to or have a interest in, we also mentioned articles about other relevant artists for the convention of a real music magazine.

Where in magazine (Front cover):-
Model: Siju Falusi and Precious
Setting: Around the college, near owen's filed
Props/Equipment: Photography camera's and digital camera, Headphones, Boom box
Type of shot:Low angel, Long shot

While working on this piece of work I discovered my weakness was getting in terms with Adobe Photoshop, as I was still a learner.

I showed 20 people we are trying to target to SOUL BEATS and give some feedback. These are some questions I asked:

1. What do you think of SOUL BEATS Magazine front cover?
2. Would you be interested to see more?
3. If you could change something about SOUL BEATS what would it be?
4. Do u think SOUL BEATS is worth your money?
5. What can we change to improve SOUL BEATS?
6. Would SOUL BEATS attract your eye in a shop shelf?


The majority of the feedback was positive. 16 out 20 people said yes to question two, whereas the others that said no because there’s too many similar magazines around language be a friend like. My 20 targets would want to see more UK music related articles and want the text to be friendlier rather then state like a news report. On a whole the readers found the magazine professional and affordable, and got very high results out of ten, with an overall of 171/200.

By completing this work I have learnt how extremely important it is when undertaking a type of media you must do it up to the audience’s expectations. I also learnt sometimes it is good to work in a team as you can share work equally between people to make it easy for your self and be an able to put 100 per cent on the task you are undertaking.

SOUL BEATS Magazine Readership profile.

Age: 18

Education: 9 A-C GCES grades, 3 A Levels

Status: On and off relationships

Hometown: London

Background: Black ethnic background

Income: great deal deposable cash

Occupation: weekend and one day in weekday in retail sales assistant. Full time holidays.

What do you spend your money on: Cosmetics, clothes and accessories.

Smoke/drink: No/socially

What do you like to do in your spare time: Gym, Loves to spend time with the ones love. Big music fan goes concerts/gigs. Also enjoys going out of London in the summer.

What type of music you into: fan of Soul, R &B, Blues, Funk, Slow jams and Jazz. But it very open minded when it comes to music.

What are your interests/ hobbies: Big reader loves books, also has a passion for Fashion and performing, gym, theatre, out going person.

Where do you shop for clothes: high street.

How many people in your household: average family but doesn’t live with dad.

magazine analysis

24-09-08

This mornings class we did a magazine analysis on different types and genres of  music magazines. We was put into groups and to discuss the covers terminology, then discuss  with he class what we ad found as well as discussing other groups magazines. my group looked at the magazine rock sound. we talked about how the magazine is aimed at mainly white males in there late teens early 20s

     

magazine analysis

In this mornings class we worked on magazine analysis. We talked about different genres of magazines. In Particular we worked on a music magazine called Rock Sound. We were put into groups to talk about the properties of the magazines and their target audiences.

 we decided that the target audience for the magazine is probably Late teens to mid 20's , and it's most popular for men.