Analysis of Existing Magazine Titles:

Clash:

The magazine title Clash relates to the type of music that this magazine looks at, which is the same as my magazine genre; which is indie/alternative. However this magazine also looks at fashion and film, although it mainly focuses on music. This is shown through the title of the magazine because Clash can be a word referenced to music, because they do have a 'clash' of music combined together in the magazine. Also it can reference the 'clash' of all different aspects of culture such as the film section. This title is bold and distinct which attracts reader to purchase the magazine because if you see it whilst looking through a magazine stand then this title will stand out from the rest because the masthead is right at the top of the cover. Also because Clash is known for using more earthy colours on the covers,bar a few issues which have challenged this stereotype. However in that case it does make them stand out more as a magazine because they are not conforming to any of the traditional magazines, especially the alternative music ones, stereotypes because they have essentially stripped back their covers to make them more appealing and unique to what the market is used to, when in comparison to NME for example. Also, the name Clash could reference to the band, The Clash, who were around in the 1970s and 80s. This may be because they themselves didn't really conform to any set style and stood apart from quite a lot of bands at the time whilst still fulfilling the needs of the market at the time. This is what I feel Clash has decided to achieve.

Dazed and Confused:

The name Dazed and Confused is very effective as a name for a magazine about culture, and especially because most people of today find culture quite hard to understand as everything really seems to have double meanings nowadays. Dazed and Confused's logo that they use throughout their magazine looks quite catchy and bold, even though they do have such a long name compared to other magazines of the same genre. They have made the Dazed part of the logo one big bold word, this would be to actually create the effect that Dazed is just their name and the '& Confused' part is just the headline that is used just to create more of a proper slogan within the name. Just like all other magazines apart from a few, Dazed almost always changes the colour of the masthead depending on who is on the front of the magazine and also what colours have been used on the front. This is very innovative because that means every month the magazine can be invigorated again into something completely different and this is something I would be interested in doing with my magazine.

The Fly:

This magazine is also one that is very similar, in terms of genre, to my magazine that I am planning. This is because they include artists in their three main sections that I would really like to focus on. Their title however, The Fly, is ingenious. This is because they are almost saying like they are a fly on the wall to new and up and coming music whilst also documenting what is already going on in the world of music. For me this is a magazine title that really catches my eye, because the masthead is the same on whatever issue it is depending on what type of background they have. 

Magazine Analysis - Front Cover, Contents Page and Double Page Spread

AS Media Studies Coursework - Magazine Analysis from laurennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Reflection of skills:

So far I have been developing a lot of my skills for my coursework, such as using Photoshop and also with photography and terminology. 
I have used Photoshop in the past when I have used it throughout GCSE Textiles and also part of A-Level and this has helped me to already have a basic understanding of what I need to do to achieve the essential workings of how the program is run. The knowledge that I have accumulated up to this point is how to re-size images whilst also learning how to rotate them and get them into a position the I am happy with. Also I know how to add a different background whilst also knowing how to create a border around the outside, I have already used this in my preliminary task which I thought looked effective on the final design. I have also learned how to move the layers around on the page which has been helpful, as well as adding layers over the top of each other to create different effects which help to give a more professional look and feel to my magazine.
Key terminology is also something that I have been learning whilst starting the coursework. For example I have learnt words that can help me make my points clearer and also sound more professional and specific whilst writing up research for my coursework. For example I know what cover lines are, they are information about major articles given on the front of the magazine. Also puff is another piece of key terminology that I have learnt, which means the words and phrases that have been used on the front of the magazine to boost its status in the marketplace therefore generating more customers to actually buy it.
Photography skills are also something that I have found out a lot during the start of this coursework because it is important to get the right pictures for my magazine because if they don't look professional enough then it could ruin the look I am aiming for. For example, I know that the lighting has to be perfect and there shouldn't be a shadow behind the subject of the picture and to stop that from happening the soft lights should be placed as close to the subject as possible to achieve a really flawless effect.

AS Coursework Schedule

AS Media Studies Coursework Schedule 2013-2014

Chosen Genre and Mood Board

My chosen genre for my magazine is going to be the indie/alternative market. This is because I am a fan of that music anyway and I have a fair amount of knowledge of what is already on the market for this type of magazine genre. However in saying that I don't really want to be to conform to what these magazines normally look like, although I will also be taking inspiration from them as well. Basically, I would like to produce something different however I don't want it to be not accessible in the market I am planning on selling the magazine to.

The bands that have inspired are Arcade Fire, Warpaint and The Maccabees. The latter being the only one out of the line up that is more so classified underneath the 'indie' genre. The reason why they have inspired me is because they all have their own styles and don't conform to anything society tells them to be. Warpaint are still a fairly unknown band even though they have been together for over 5 years, their style is very stripped down and the sound feel and sound simple, they all blend together beautifully. Arcade Fire are completely different, they have a style that completely sets them apart from the traditional indie/alternative market. Their style of both music and the band themselves is something I want to emulate in my magazine.

Both fashions of the males and females are ones that I want to emulate the style of in my magazine because it is a style that many people relate to recently, the 1990's grunge style. The type of materials as well that are used in the clothing such as velvet and denim are ones that I will look out for in my own magazine.

Mood Board for Mediaa

Targets For The Next Week:

My targets for this week is to complete the first part of my research and planning for my magazine. My first target was to complete a post showing all of my favourite magazine covers from the last 12 months, which I have already completed. My next target is to complete 3 analysises of 3 magazine front covers, contents and double page spreads. This will help me get a better idea of what type of magazine I want to create and also because all the magazines will be along the same genre lines as I would like to create then it will give me an idea of what is on the market for that genre already and what similarities and differences I can come up with for my own creation. Next, I will reflect on the skills I have learnt up to this point on programs such as Photoshop and also the photography and terminology skills I learnt for future reference. Next, I will identify my chosen genre of music for my magazine and create a moodboard type document to show what style and colour palette I may be intending to use. Next, I will evaluate all of the research I have found so far and consolidate that into a blogpost saying what I could 'copy' from my analysed magazines and also whether it is realistic to create a magazine for my favourite genre.

Magazine Covers - Inspiration