Proposal for my magazine production

Typography & Font Styles

What are typography/font styles and why are they important?

The typography is the way in which the words have been arranged to make the written language more legible and alluring when it is displayed. The typography varies from the different typeface, point sizes, line spacing and letter spacing. The typography is mainly served to appeal to the reader.

The font styles is the characters that are in a specific style and size of a typeface which makes for an overall design which makes the text more appealing. Both the typography and the font styles are important as they deploy a prominence for the written text and make it more appealing. Different types of typography and font style are used for different purposes. 

The typography carries different types of connotations. For example, we can how the word 'Feminine' has a very calming presence compared to the sharp, 'Masculine' which has different point sizes. 

In typography, a sans-serif is one that does not have any extended details at the end of the stroke. A prime example of a sans-serif font would be Arial which is commonly used for texts as it is easy to read. Sans-serif fonts are commonly used in online texts because it is easier to read.

Serifs are where there are extended details at the end of the stroke which deploy an aura of elegance. A prime example of serif font would be Verdana. Serif fonts are more distinctive to the reader which is why they are more commonly used in print. 

The following hip-hop magazine has a sans-serif font type, in a bold red colour. The sans-serif and the red colour both combine to connote a unisex audience, as both genders can be associated with red.The sans-serif  font is very distinctive and easy to read and clearly stands out fro, the other texts. 













The music magazine on the left is a clear example where the title is in a serif font type. This is because we can see the decorative flourishes at the end of the strokes. This is conventional to the magazine as it is revolved around classical music, and the serif font type deploys a charm which makes it unique to the audience. 

Pre-Production Paperwork

Why is it important to use include and create a pre-production paperwork? 

It is important to create the pre-production paperwork because it allows the production in general to work well. This is because the pre-production paperwork involves different research tasks, a location recce, and a risk assessment which will ensure the safety of all participants. It is essential that all the paperwork is included to avoid any issues with all of those involved. The pre-production paperwork is also useful because if any issues were to arise, the paperwork would help resolve this.

What is a risk assessment? 

A risk assessment is a systematic process of evaluating the potential risk that may occur during an activity or production. For my music magazine production, it is important that I construct a risk assessment for the planning process as they create awareness of hazards and risks. Risk assessments are vital for the health and safety of the participants during the shooting of my music magazine.

What is a mis-en-scene/prop list?

Mis-en-scene is the visual information in front of the camera and is made up of six elements which consists of:

- Lighting and colour

- Cinematography

- Costume, hair & make up

- Body language and facial expression

- Setting and iconography

- Positioning of characters/objects within the frame

A prop list is a set of icons and objects, which will be present in front of camera during the shooting of my music magazine. The props aid in creating a certain mood for the image as they each connote something unique.

The mis-en-scene and the prop list are important to the planning process, as they will identify what is required for the photo shoot. For example, if I want a certain costume for the shooting, the mis-en-scene will identify what type of costume is required.

Conclusion:

In conclusion the pre-production paperwork has helped me significantly in my production progress. It sets me up for my planning stage and gives me an idea of everything that is required to complete my production. 

Hand-drawn design of magazine

The front cover has a conventional layout for a music magazine. For example, the masthead is located at the top of the page, which will make the magazine recognizable. The masthead is the biggest text in my hand-drawn design which will grab the attention of my target audience.This is conventional for rap music as the the title of the magazine is demanding which is associated with rap music. I have also hinted in my hand-drawn design that my masthead will be very stylish which further appeals to the audience, because they will be intrigued. The main image will be at the center of my magazine which is also conventional to a rap magazine as the audience will instantly be able to identify the artist. This appeals to the audience as they will be interested in the rap artist which is being presented. The main cover lines are also to the side of the front cover which is where it is conventionally located. This will invite the reader to read the content that my rap magazine is offering. 

The contents page is also a conventional layout as the main features will be in one column. I will also include an image of the magazine artist to emphasize the magazine's main artist. This is conventional as there is always an image in the contents page, and it will appeal to the target audience because it will present to them the main subject of the magazine, encouraging them to read the magazine. I will also include a message from the editor thanking the audience which will appeal to them as they will feel part of the production. Through this use of convention, the audience will be directly addressed and will be able to identify with the rap magazine which will make them buy more issues.

The double page spread of my rap magazine is a conventional layout as the image is on the right hand side, and the text is on the left. My hand-drawn design hints a gutter which will separate the three columns of the interview. This will make the page look very neat and tidy, which will appeal to the audience because they will not be put off by chunks of texts. I have also included a pull quote which will be situated on top of the image. This is conventional to my rap magazine as the pull quote will be associated with the cover star, and the audience will be able to identify this. The pull quote will pick out a unique phrase from the interview which will catch the target audience's eye, as it is something they want to know about. The pull quote will be effective in luring the target audience to read the interview. Also, the title of the interview will immediately underline the subject of the text, which will appeal to the target audience as it is the biggest text.

Questionnaire Results : Graph Data

For my primary research, I constructed a survey in which enabled me to find out an ideal target audience for my magazine. I sampled ten students from my class to take the survey and there is graph data for all the questions which summarises the results.

Why is it important to get and analyse feedback?

It is important to get and analyse the feedback of the research in order to make important decisions for the production of my music magazine. The feedback can steer the production of my music magazine in the right path, and create a high standard magazine. This is because I will be producing the magazine based on the audience's desires which will make for a successful music magazine. Analysing feedback can help me to improve my magazine such as involving certain conventions. For example, I can see that 70% of the respondents prefer rap music. As a result, I am encouraged to make my music magazine about rap music. This emphasises the importance of analysing feedback as I am producing my magazine to meet the audience's demands. As well as this, 80% of the people read magazines in paper format which tells me to make my magazine in print format. 

In conclusion, this research has been beneficial because it has helped me to identify a specific target audience for my music magazine. This is essential to any type of magazine, in order to have success and therefore the research has benefited me.

Primary Audience Research: Questionnaire

Create your own user feedback survey

What is the importance of primary research?

The primary research which I conducted was highly important as it granted me further knowledge about music magazines, and the types of audiences they appeal to. Primary research is essential to help determine how I should progress with the production of my magazine. I constructed a questionnaire consisting of ten questions which allowed me to understand what is required for the production of my magazine. The questions involved simple option boxes which was fairly quick to answer. There was also a question which asked to specify his/her's favourite artist. Overall, I was able to understand what the audience want and able to pinpoint a target audience for my magazine. 

Advantages of questionnaires:

• Easy way of collecting and analysing data
• The format is familiar with most people, so it will be fairly simple.
• They are straightforward.
• The results are immediate.
• The respondent is not pressured into answering anything, they have time. 

Disadvantages of questionnaires:

• Some of the questions may be skipped.
• Some respondents may give inaccurate answers.
• There is no way of validating the results.
• Some people may be irked by the questionnaire.
• Not effective for in depth investigation. 

Who did I ask and why?

I sampled ten students in my year to answer my questionnaire. This is because the students in my year are more into music and magazines compared to other year groups. 

How has this research been beneficial?

In conclusion, this research has been highly beneficial to me in the production of my music magazine. I was able to conclude a sub-genre for my music magazine, prior to the results of the most favourited music genres. This benefited me as it set me up for the next stage. Also, this researched helped me to find out about targeted age and gender which further steered me to precise my music magazine and identify a target audience.

Institutions Research - Magazine Regulation in the UK

The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) is the independent regulator for the newspaper and magazine industry in the UK. Their role consists of holding newspapers and magazines to account for their actions, protecting their individual rights, helping to maintain freedom of expression and to uphold high standards of journalism. The IPSO ensure that all newspapers and magazines in the UK follow the Editor’s Code.  It was established on 8^th September 2014 and came into effect following the dismissal of the Independent Press Complaints Commissions (PCC), the main industry regulator since 1990. The PCC received substantial criticism following a phone hacking scandal and there were calls of a new system leading to the IPSO. Since then, the IPSO has handled complaints and has conducted its own investigations where the Editor’s Code of Practice has been breached. The IPSO have the authority to make newspapers and magazines publish corrections and adjustments if the Editor’s Code is breached. The IPSO also operate a 24-hour anti-harassment advice line and provide training for journalists. They work with charities, such as the NGOs to support and improve press standards. The Editor’s Code of Practice is a set of rules that newspapers and magazines have agreed to follow, which is enforced by the IPSO. It is administered by the Editor’s Code of Practice Committee and includes 17 rules. The code allows for a balance for both the individual and the public’s right to know, and is essential for the newspaper or magazine’s publication. The most recent version of the Editor’s Code of Practice came into effect on 1 January 2016.

The 17 regulations of the Editor’s Code consists of:

1. Accuracy

2. Privacy

3. Harassment

4. Intrusion into grief or shock

5. Reporting Suicide

6. Children

7. Children in sex cases

8. Hospitals

9. Reporting of Crime

10. Clandestine devices and subterfuge

11. Victims of sexual assault

12. Discrimination.

13. Financial journalisms

14. Confidential sources.

15. Witness payments in criminal trials

16. Payment to criminals

17. The public interest

Details about the regulations can be found on the IPSO's website.

After researching the role of the IPSO and the Editor's code of practice, I have found out how these regulations would affect my own magazine. The following regulations would affect my magazine in many ways as my target audience is male students, which would have to follow the regulations involving children. For my front cover, I will have had to get permission for the photograph used which falls under the category of 'privacy'. Also, as my model is a student, I would have not been allowed to intrude with his time at school. My primary target audience is black students because they would be able to better identify with the content on my rap magazine, meaning I would have to take care with any sort of discrimination on behalf of the Editor's code. 

Additionally, the accuracy of my content would have to be to the utmost and I must avoid any misleading information for other students. The content should be suitable for my target audience to not violate the Editor's Code and the headlines should reflect the text. All these regulations would affect the production of my magazine as I would have to take care with many contents in my magazine. For example, my magazine is clearly targeted at male students but it shouldn't discriminate females as they would be interested in rap music as well. Therefore, it is essential for me to produce a magazine that meets the requirements of both genders including all races and religions in order to avoid discrimination.

Bibliography:

https://www.ipso.co.uk/about-ipso/ https://www.ipso.co.uk/editors-code-of-practice/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_Press_Standards_Organisation   

Magazine Parent Companies

Analysis of House Style

Analysis of double page spread's graphic elements

Analysis of contents page's graphic elements