Music Magazine Research

For our main media task, we have been asked to produce the front cover, contents page and double page spread of a music magazine. Before I start planning my magazine and think about how I want it to look, I have decided to research into other music magazines and what makes them most appealing.


                                            Q Magazine covers.

Q magazine is a top hits, latests music magazine. On both of these front covers, the photos prove this as they are both very famous and have been No.1 in the charts, on more than one occasion. These photos are very posed shots, which is what I want my magazine cover photo to be like. They are both close ups, with minimal expression on the faces. The models make up and hair has been styled to fit the style of the magazine theme. For my cover photo, I also want my models to be styled in the theme of rock, looking glamourous and intense, with big hair, dark eye makeup and black clothing.

The title of Q magazine is very recognisable, and simple. This is effective because regular readers will be able to pick it out straight away. The models are not covering the masthead, which I think is easier to spot on a magazine rack. Although you want your magaine to be recognisable, and by partially covering the masthead the magazine is showing no fear of people not being able to identify it, I think that covering the name of the magazine is not easy for the reader to identify and grab off a magazine stand when in a rush.

The writing on the magazine is bold and stands out,  generally in white, black and red. I think because I want my magazine to be in a 'rock style' I will have black and red writing, however this depends on the photo that I choose for my cover and which colours go well and stand out on it. The writing is a basic font, with the main words in block capitals. I think this gives a good effect as it draws you into the big stories and key points. For example, having the words 'world exclusive' in block capitals will draw attention from people, which the magazine wants as its a use of a persuasion technique. By using the term 'exclusive' it is already showing off its content to the audience, so by making this stand out on the magazine, it makes sure the reader doesn't miss that key fact.

For my magazine I want a close up, posed photo, practically covering the front page, except leaving a gap on the left hand side - which will be for the cover text. I want the background of the photo to be white, so then the text can be in black. I intend for the title of my magazine to be 'In Tune!' which will feature in the top left hand corner of the front page. I want the font to be simple but bold, so probably will choose the colour black, and I may perhaps have the title in capitals for more emphasis.

For my main article I am choosing to have a new and upcoming artist, with an exclusive interview and photoshoot. This also feature on my double page spread as the main article.

Billboard Magazine

Billboard magazine is also a chart magazine. Although I think the front cover of this is effective I do not want my front cover to be like this. I prefer the second magazine cover to the first, as in the second magazine the model stands out more on the background. However, in the first cover photo the model blends in with the background slightly and the writing is a little unclear. I do not like the dark backgrounds on both of them and I do not like that the models are covering most of the masthead as it means it is difficult for first time buyers to pickout.

Some of the colour choices on the magazine cover are also hard to see and overall I don't think that the cover gives a clear idea of the style and genre of the magazine.