My original front cover had a photograph of my 4 models in a line with writing around them. However it was difficult to fill spaces because of how the photo used up the space on the magazine. This challenged a magazine cover convention because there was expensive spaces being left and to fill them didn't look like it should.
To change this, I instead followed other magazine styles and had my models standing in 2's with the boys at the back and the girls at the front. This put them in a tighter group which meant placing writing would be much easier and it looked acceptable as a magazine cover would look.
For the interview I used a double column grid system to fit in my writing and for the magazine to have a layout that made it easy for the reader to follow.
My original double page spread was very basic. It had little house style (just the Maestro logo and use of colours) but I decided this didn't make my magazine look acceptable to what a magazine should look like.
To change this I kept the double columns and made a black background around the questions and the important part of the title. I also changed the picture layout so one page was a whole image with text going over it and had a quote enlarged and placed in the centre of the two columns.
I followed this idea from a Style magazine because it was a very basic style but it allowed me to customise it to make it my own and also made the page instantly appear as a magazine double page.
2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
My magazine is specifically aimed at higher class people as they are the type to have a general interest in the classical style music. The adverts offer tickets to concerts that are clearly for people who enjoy company of other higher classed people. It is for those who really enjoy music and that an interest in the history ad more sophisticated side of music.
3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
I used Classic FM a huge amount when constructing my magazine. The institution who create this magazine are the BBC as they have programmes that also link to it.
I would say that the BBC could also take Maestro as another magazine to be a part of because different audiences may aim for the same style of music magazine but look for different aspects which apply more to them.
4. Who would be the audience for your media product?
The audience my magazine is aimed at are people with particular interest to classical and more sophisticated music.
The article that I used in my magazine is from 4 younger musicians who play instruments in orchestras that 'upper class' people would consider to watch.
The article however is one that aims more for younger musicians who are possibly considering to take up and orchestral instrument or who may aspire to follow the classical genre. The idea was parents may read this article and feel more inspired to encourage their child.
My audience ranges because some features of the magazine are aimed for older readers but some designs (like the contents page) and interviews are for younger people.
5. How did you attract/address your audience?
For the magazine to attract my aimed audience, I had to consider bold fonts and subtle colours. The magazine also had the BBC3 logo which plays this type of music, therefore the audience would know this magazine reflects the music.
I used smart clothing on my models as the magazine content aims for higher classed people. I also had a member of Escala on the front page to be a feature in the magazine because she is known form ITV's Britain's Got Talent and plays classical music but slightly modernised for younger people to be more interested in.
I felt having an interesting and slightly different contents page to a normal classical magazine would appeal to younger people as it looks more exciting and easier to read. However it may also interest older readers as it differs from the usual style that other magazines use.
6.What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
To make my magazine, I have used computer programmes such as Photoshop and Indesign. Photoshop allowed me to manipulate images by changing contrasts and colours. I was also able to touch up my models skin so they looked more effective and flawless as magazine pictures usually are.
Indesign was where I created my magazine. The articles are written and the column system laid out how I wanted. I also created my front cover with its text and gradient changing background.
7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
From my preliminary task, I used Photoshop to create the magazine as Indesign wasn't available. When I could use Indesign it took some practice but eventually made the task so much easier.
In my preliminary task I used little touch up tools such stamp tool to make the skin in photos much smoother and flawless.
In my real task I explored more magazine styles and used different designs such as the stacked CD's for my contents and white boarder on my front cover to make my magazine look more interesting. This also made it look more like a magazine in my opinion.
Audience Feedback
- The font styles fit very well with the style of the magazine
- The type of magazine is easy to tell when you see it - styles fit well
- Not a magazine I would read but is likely to appeal to people who do - good contents page and interview
- Like the layout - its basic and easy to follow
- Very sophisticated
- Looks professional
- Could easily be produced by the BBC
