Stage 2 Magazine Planning

My idea for the magazine is for it to be an original music magazine with a fashion focused twist. Although it will include typically music related elements on the contents list (e.g. reviews of performances or albums) it will also include pages which would inform the reader where they could 'get the look' of their favourite artist on a budget, showing them where similar items can be found in highstreet stores. Not only this, but the interview with the 'artist' on my double page spread will include questions about their choice of clothing as well as their success and love for music.

I decided to take this approach on the magazine because my target audience is teenagers to young adults, a category which I fit into myself. I personally do not read music magazines and I know many of my friends, boyfriend and sister of the same age group don't either. Due to this I wanted to make this genre of magazine appeal more to my target audience and I feel as though adding a fashion element would do this. I gained this idea as I, and my friends, read 'gossip' magazines such as 'Now' and 'Heat' which regularly include elements such as a 'best and worst dressed of the week' list, which is light-hearted fun and something people of my age group, particularly girls, enjoy. However, in this day in age males seem to be just as fashion focused as girls, with regular trends being taken on by the majority. These trends have usually stemmed from a famous artist or band member. However, this is also the 'iPod generation' something Kanye West recently spoke of in an interview with Kris Jenner. In this interview he made a very valid point by stating there are no boundaries anymore, people don't simply listen to one genre of music. Many peoples iPods range from music such as Lil' Wayne to Ellie Goulding and therefore I believe a music magazine covering a wide range of music would be appropriate and appeal to teenagers to young adults. Although I will be making my magazine suitable for both genders I personally believe it may appeal slightly more to females than males, however when I begin my main task I will attempt to obliterate this gender bias.

I want my front cover, contents page and double page spread to look as professional and as much like a real magazine as possible and therefore will abide by some major conventions. Firstly, I will ensure that the masthead on my front cover falls behind my main image. As well as this, I will make the main coverline slightly larger than the masthead as I noted this as a repeating feature on the magazine front covers I previously deconstructed. I also believe I will use a main image where the 'artist' is pictured with forward facing eyes, as if looking at the reader as this is an element which could be used to draw the reader in. Furthermore, on the contents page I will indicate which stories were introduced on the front cover with arrows or a change in colour of the text. On top of this, I will organise the contents list into categories, and definitely use a 'Regulars/In Every Issue' subheading as this is a convention I noticed recurring during my contents page deconstructions. I may also include a small review of a performance, album or single to the contents page however this is not a convention I am positive I will include. Within the double page spread I will structure the text into columns as this is a major convention of magazines. As well as this, I will include a pull quote and drop capitals to keep the DPS looking professional and realistic. Finally, I will attempt to include an idea I gained from the Q and TOTP double page spreads I deconstructed. By this, I mean I will attempt to make the interview a feature which would be in every issue with a different artist by using a heading similar to what the previously mentioned magazines included (e.g. 'EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW').

Finally, I will use a simple colour scheme which is instantaneously recognisable and therefore would be automatically associated with this magazine.

I have chosen a friend whom I want to appear on the front cover and double page spread of my magazine as the main artist. I am going to take the images in the photography studio within College to ensure they appear as professional as possible. I have been looking at various magazines which feature a female on the front to gain inspiration for poses and decide what I believe would be suitable for my magazine however I am yet to finalise what stances I would like to photograph. As well as this I would like my contents page to include around 3/4 images of other 'artists'/'bands' however I am yet to find people who would be available and willing to do so which could prove to be an issue. If I do find this to be a great struggle I will simply reduce the number of images on my contents page and consequently alter the layout slightly.