Identifying key features of a music magazine cover

As part of my extensive preliminary research task I was given the brief to conduct some through and detailed background research into identifying the key features of a mainstream magazine product. Since I am relatively knew to media as a subject I believed this would allow me to gain a valuable understanding of what was required of me to produce in my finished products as it would be expected I complied with the traditional conventions seen within music magazine productions in the industry itself. It was essential therefore for me to locate and use as a template images of a authentic cover to revolve my project on as I would be able to consistently refer back to it to provide me with the references to the conventions that were critical to be present in the coursework pack. Below is an example of one of the Q magazine covers, I selected this company in particular as I am heavily basing my products around this specific brand of magazine as I believe the layout and use of conventions fit my music genre (alternative/indie) perfectly. I have identified and annotated many of the major features of this cover which can be seen directly beneath.

Although I am generally focusing upon 'Q' magazine for my intended inspiration whilst researching I could identify the same common conventions within the 'NME' main cover as well which suggests firmly to me that these elements are standatory for all mainstream written music productions.

With me being undoubtly unfamiliar with many of the key terms of typical magazine conventions I thought it would be a thorough aid to me if I researched more in depth regarding the meanings of the terminology used, this way I would know how to use each aspect most efficiently when composing the initial draft of my flatplans for the products as it would be coherent to me where would be the most appropriate place to situate these elements in regards to what reaction or purpose they intended to provoke from the audience. The subsequent categories of magazine conventions are:

Masthead- This is normally the main title of the magazine, it is generally the largest word or sentence displayed on the cover,  for example in this instance it is the name of the music magazine 'Q' and is the primary method of gaining audience attention and gratification through the use of the enlarged font and normally bright colour scheme to raise attention.

Main Sell Lines- The main sell line can be identified as the major most popular article featured in the magazine for that issue, it is generally linked to the cover photo, in this instance it revolves around the pop music artist Lady Gaga and is one of the main focal points to generate audience arousal from.

Sub Headings- These can be orientated around the main article featured in the magazine (Lady Gaga) or can be used to identify other important articles of interest that are also included in the issue, this provides the reader with additional knowledge that the product will provide subsequent areas which they can indulge in, creating the impression there is more then one article to relate to

Essential information-  Includes relevant info such as the issue number, publication date and most often the price of the magazine. The main image is normally presented in the background to draw attention specifically away from the price. This is a clever marketing strategy as if the audience is initially most intrigued by the content of the magazine they are less likely to focus upon the price as there attention is diverted to the stories present.

Barcode- Communicates information to the reader about retail price, issue number etc

AS Media Foundation Portofolio Brief

Preliminary exercise: using DTP and an image manipulation program, produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally you must produce a mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate your grasp of DTP.

Main task: the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine.

The main task for my AS media coursework requires me to produce an authentic production of a popular music magazine which contains in the digi pack a front cover, contents page and accompanying double page spread article. There are many unique and different genres of music I have at my disposal to consider, some of the categories include rock, pop, indie, alternative, rave and dance. When viewing mainstream magazines already displayed in the media industry I unearthed that the most significant popular areas were surrounding alternative or rock products - with artists like Kasbabian,Florence and the Machine and Lily Allen being the main centre of attraction for the audience. This gave me the underlying impression that my intended readers were interested by this particular brand of music, as I desired my magazine to be most efficient and appealing as possible I believe if I direct my attention towards producing a product of this theme under professional standards, then it is highly likely the outcome will be most successful as it will engage the interest however I am more drawn towards the alternative/ indie sub type. This is an area of music that I am vehemently interested in with myself engaging with listening to many separate artists such as Muse, Fleet foxes and Lana Del Rey so I feel it would be most appropriate to orientate my products around this musical theme as I have already obtained the background knowledge and passion to ensure that this would be an authentic enough magazine with enough detail and thought that has been endeavoured into its construction. I have always enjoyed purchasing and indulging in copies of the music magazine 'Q' due to the artists it focuses upon (these are normally mainstream in the alternative genre or are solo singers/bands that are popular or have made an impact into the music industry) so there is always an article I can engage and be appealed to read as it suits the interests developed by my personality.For my magazine product I have already mentally broadcasted concepts and ideas of what layout will be most appropriate for the style of music I have opted to focus upon, therefore I believe that 'Q' would be an ideal template to begin my initial flatplans off.

Essentially in the dominance of the media world it is vital that your productions is noticed more severely against all of the opposing products that are competing for the audiences attention, in this instance I firmly agree a unique title like 'Q' would be an ideal benefit to base my masthead upon