Foundation Portfolio - Main Task

Produce the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine, using a minimum of four original images.


For the main task of my foundation portfolio, I must create a front page, contents page and a double page spread of a new, contemporary music magazine. To develop my ideas, I have applied the 'LIIAR' model to the genre of magazine I am going to produce. I decided to use the music magazines "NME" and "Q" as models to gain inspiration for my own magazine. Therefore, I have also researched how the following five features apply to these magazines.


"NME"

Language - The way that my magazine is presented will greatly influence how it will appeal to my target audience. Part of the criteria for this task is that I must produce at least four original images, which will feature modern "bands" that I will construct and design using models. "NME" use photographs of bands which will appeal to the target audience. If people like the way that the bands have been represented on the cover, they will be likely to buy the magazine. The writing this particular edition of "NME" magazine has used is bold and eye-catching, for example the above cover features the band name "The Killers" in large lettering so that it has the maximum visual impact. This front cover looks quite busy as it features three photographs and quite a lot of text, however this gives the audience an insight into what is going to be inside the magazine and will persuade new fans to buy it.

Institution - The publisher of the "NME" magazine is "IPC", the UK's leading magazine publisher. According to their website, 'Almost two in every three UK women and over 45% of UK men read an IPC magazine.'

Ideology - "NME is a British weekly music magazine. Featuring agenda-setting news, the UK's most comprehensive gig guide, definitive reviews of the week's hottest gigs, tracks and albums, and fiery comment from the nation's most opinionated writers, it's the essential guide to the week in music." The ideology behind the "NME" music magazine is to inform the target audience of current issues and events in the world of contemporary indie/rock music, to promote this genre of music, and to entertain readers whilst doing so. The magazine also focuses on promoting new bands as well as ones that are more established. My own music magazine will have a very similar ideology. Because my magazine will feature the same genre of music, the ways of promoting and informing the audience will comparable to that of "NME".

Audience - Much like "NME", my magazine will be designed for people aged from older teenagers to young adults, although it could be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys the specified genre of music, although this is the age group that are most likely to purchase it on a regular basis. According to the IPC media pack for "NME", 70% of the people who buy the magazine are male, and the average reader age is 24 years old. The magazine also succeeds in attracting people of higher economic stature, as 65% of buyers and within the ABC1 model. Furthermore, 65% of people who view the magazines website, "nme.com" are male, and 50% are aged between 16 and 24. These statistics reflect the people who would be most likely to buy my magazine of the same genre.

Representation - The way that social groups are represented in a media product has a huge influence on the types of people who will buy the product. The main way to represent different groups of people in magazines is through digital photographs. In "NME" magazines the photographs are of well known bands and artists of the indie/rock music genre. Most of the photographs are made to look very natural, and often feature the artists playing in concert. However the main photograph on the front cover usually looks much more polished, for example the photograph on the above issue has clearly been carefully planned and edited.




"Q"

Language - The dominant feature of "Q" magazines front cover are the impressive photographs, for which the magazine is known. The limited palette of colours used on the front page opposite makes the magazine look professional, therefore the magazine is more likely to attract people of a higher economic model. We can also tell that the magazine is confident that it's audience will recognize it from it's style alone, as the logo is being partially covered by the band in the photograph. The writing is kept minimalistic, as the main impact is made through the photograph. However the text that has been used is very simple and bold, the main headline "Kings Of Leon" breakthrough has been placed in the centre of the cover where it will attract the most attention. All of these features make the magazine look like specialist product, which will have a great impact on the type of people who will buy it.

Institution - The company responsible for publishing this magazine is "Bauer." It is Europe's largest privately owned publishing group, and is responsible for publishing over 230 magazines covering a wide spectrum of genres.

"Since launch in 1986, Q has been the UK’s best selling music monthly magazine. With its unrivaled access it has delivered the world’s biggest music stars every month. 2008 sees Q herald a bold new creative vision widening its parameters to include the world outside music. Seeing life through the lens of music, it draws references from the world of sport, comedy, film and even politics."
www.bauermedia.co.uk/Brands/Q/

Ideology - The ideology behind this magazine, much like the "NME", is to inform the target audience of current happenings in the genres of music it covers, to promote the bands and artists within these genres and entertain its readers. The magazine has an extensive review section covering new releases, live concerts, film, radio and television. This suggests that one of the main aims of the magazine is to persuade it's audience to consume these different products. This magazine also features more well-known bands that are already well established, rather than promoting new ones.

Audience - "Q" magazine features bands of a similar genre to "NME", however they also feature more 'classic' bands and artists such as "Oasis" and "Coldplay", therefore this magazine is also likely to attract an older audience.

"Open minded experience seekers, the Q audience don’t define themselves by the music they listen to. Music is an important passion, but their love of music will never be to the detriment of their other passions, such as film, sport and comedy."
www.bauermedia.co.uk/Brands/Q/

Representation - Physically, "Q" has a more 'polished' appearance that "NME". Although it does contain natural photographs of artists performing at gigs, a higher proportion of the photographs have been taken withing studios and professionally edited. A large part of "Q" magazine's identity is it's unique cover photographs. For example on the above front cover, the featured band are seen jumping through a field of broken glass. The picture creates excitement whilst giving the magazine a specialized feel.