Music Magazine: Initial Designs

These are my rough plans for the layout of my magazine (click to enlarge any of the images):

Front cover:

When thinking about the genre of music magazine I want to create, I imagine the style and layout of the magazine to make a statement, especially on the front cover - to catch the reader's attention and set it apart from the other magazines. My questionnaire results found that this is what potential readers want and are attracted to so I hope that my large, statement headers will do so. As the layout of my front cover is left aligned, I plan to take photos that are mainly right-aligned to create balance. As you can see written on my plan, my initial idea was to have the model leaning against a wall or tree which could create a laid-back or 'edgy' image of the artist depending on how I frame, manipulate or angle the shot.
I plan to have the masthead in a very distinctive font to create a recognisable style for the magazine and to have the main header, the pull quote, in a very bold and heavy sans serif font to create as much impact as possible. Other fonts, in the subtitles/date/issue number, will be a different sans serif font to create variety whilst still making sure that all the text is easily readable.

Contents page:

I hope that by using the diagonal on this page, the 'edgy' feel desired will be created because it is an unconventional technique. This will also create a unique feel to the magazine and act as one of the signature features I planned to create.
For the contents page, I want to have a variation of fonts - bold, impactful ones for headers and easy-to-read sans-serif ones for the smaller texts. The header fonts I decide to use should reflect the attitudes and values of this publication as this is what will draw the eye and give a first impression of the magazine.

Double page spread:

I plan to use a conventional layout for my double-page-spread in order to fit the content I wish to include in easily. This will allow me to write more for my editorial and therefore be better quality. From my questionnaire, I learnt that I needed to include fairly indepth information about the music itself, rather than the artist and 'gossipy' style information so this what I will need to concentrate on here. Despite the conventional style, I plan to take photographs that represent the individuality of the artist and magazine. I also plan to use statement fonts for the headings.

Here is my initial house style plan, which I feel represents the target reader's attitude and expectations of this type of magazine:

• I chose the fonts because they have an 'edgy' style that sets them apart from other magazines- I learnt through my questionnaire that readers want this
• I added courier and arial because there needs to be an easy-to-read font for the main text to make accessible to the reader. 
• In terms of the colour scheme, I thought that the bright colours would create a striking effect against the black and white so would again appeal to the wants of the audience for its design to stand out against other magazines.

Music Magazine: Questionnaire and Results

 

The people I sent questionnaires to varied in their magazine consumption. I sent it to both people I know buy music magazines regularly and those who hardly ever do. By doing this, I ensured I got an idea of what readers might want from my magazine if they saw it on a shelf and knew nothing about it, as well as what regular readers might expect. When writing it, I tried to include questions that will help me write and design my front cover, contents page and double page spread as well as the general house style of the magazine. I also included specifics such as price and rate of publication (weekly, monthly etc) so I wouldn't have to worry about them later.

From sending out this questionnaire, I have learnt:  

•   a £2-£3 price bracket would be most popular, however people would be prepared to pay more depending on the content
• All my results showed readers would be interested in a magazine featuring alternative music and specialising in unsigned bands - In general, most leaned towards a higher focus on unsigned 
• Results show the audience cares most about interviews and exposure for new music in a magazine such as this than promotions and competitions. Regular features that were rated highly in importance also include gig guides, album and single reviews and audience opinions/feedback page. The questionnaire also showed people wanted articles about music itself, not just the artist so I aim to include an article such as this, as well as the regular features in my contents page 
•   Everyone said they would want a variety of features, and lots of them so I need to keep this in mind when writing my contents page
• The questionnaire also showed that content is key - people are prepared to pay more if the content is good, and will buy a magazine specially for the content, even if they do not usually buy it. I must make sure my content is worthwhile and interesting so that more people will be attracted to it - including people who don’t regularly buy my publication or music magazines in general.
• In terms of design, many people wanted something that would have a different look to other magazines (an edgy/extreme style was preferred, as well as quirky and personal) and the use of colour, layout and typography was important in attracting them. I must think carefully about the style of my front cover and house style of the magazine when planning and creating it if I want attract as many people as possible
  ·         The questionnaire also showed that people wanted the front cover image to have eye contact with the audience, so I must make sure this is the case with the photo I choose.

·  How this effects my initial ideas: The results of my questionnaire show that my initial ideas would be popular, but I may have to change some elements, such as including a greater emphasis on the workings of music rather than artists. I must still keep a focus on live music through features like gig guides and gig reviews and include audience input through feedback pages. The requirement for lots of varied features means that I can explore my initial ideas through the headings on this page. When thinking about design, I must make it eye-catching and unique - the questionnaire showed that an 'edgy' style that I thought about in my initial ideas would be appropriate for this publication but I want to include features that would be 'signature' to the magazine to create a personal effect.

Music Magazine: Initial Ideas

I want to create a magazine that will

• Introduce people to new music, as well as providing information about known artists
• Have a heavy emphasis on live music and initimate gigs, local festivals
• Possibly specialise in unsigned or unknown bands
• Be 'a print-based MySpace'
• Include lots of audience input - letters, reviews, guest articles, feedback pages
• Have an genre focus indie/urban/alternative music
• Be styled to be 'edgy'
• Appeal to lovers of alternative music as well as young people
• Encourage an attitude to 'live life loud'
• Stand out against other magazines