Task 5

3 Genres Strengths and weakness’

Genre Strengths Weakness’

Alternative Rock • Popular music genre nowadays• Open colour scheme choice• Many artists/group specialising in this

genre• Both Kerrang and NME successful

examples• Costume choices open for the genre• Clear instrument props: Guitar,

microphone, drums• Many Sub-genres of alternative to choose

from• Unlimited topics in songs

• Not many magazine specialise in Alternative rock

• Many Rules to this type of magazine• Makeup and props may be advanced• Expressions is vital for this genre• Majority male dominant bands• Hard to establish particular target audience

from

Pop • Most popular music genre• Countless artists and groups to choose from• Loads of new pop stars annually• Custom, makeup and props can vary• Majority radio stations and TV dedicated to

pop• Charts dominated by pop• Suitable for all ages• Pop can be about many different topics

• A lot of magazines already release pop as their genre

• Can be hard to show a magazine is pop• Reaching out to a certain target audience

can be hard with pop• Can be overwhelming with many song

titles, albums being released all the time• Instruments vary, most the times just vocals

from the artists.

R&B • Many well known and dated songs are R&B

• Relaxing, sensual• Also quite popular• Many different instruments used

• Set stereotypically costume• Hard to distinguish target audiences• Difficult to choose colour scheme• Themes less open than other – usually

about freedom, relationship, aspirations etc…

• Can be hard to make a magazine seem R&B straight away

Public Results (Genres)Genre Frequency (Total: 12)

Alternative Rock 4

Pop 4

R&B 4

I asked a total of twelve people whether they prefer rock, pop or R&B and asked for response in the form of an audio file. The youngest age being 11 and oldest being 47 so there was a range of ages asked within my research. I asked five boys and seven girls so it was reasonably equal and I considered both genres. For each genre there was at least one male which preferred it showing that they all appeal to males and females. The reason I think all the genres have the same frequency is because they are all popular genre choices today appealing to any age and gender. I had hypothesised that the results should be similar as I purposefully chose the most up to date popular music genres.

Confirmation of Genre

I have chosen to do the genre of Rock, more specifically the sub genre Alternative Rock. I chose this because I personally have an interest in this type of music and so should be more effective that I do something I enjoy. Also, technically it should be quite challenging to portray this genre and fun to display it through costume and makeup of model – it allows you to be more creative with this genre. In terms of research, the feedback I collected did help to confirm me doing this genre as since all the genre totals were equal it showed that it’s still popular and should be good to do. In addition after doing independent research I found there isn’t many Alternative rock specialised magazines so it should spark more interest with me doing one.

MastheadsCodes and Conventions of Mastheads:

Overall the masthead must stand out from other features on the page, to do this they are usually in display fonts and in a larger font size. The masthead is conventionally positioned at the top of the page either in the center or from left to right in order to draw immediate attention. Another code associated with masthead is that they should relate to the genre of the magazine or have connotations of that genre. For example a pop magazine should have a lively, positive masthead like “Fizz” in contrast to a hip hop masthead where it would be more cynical an serious: “Beatz”.

Name Ideas• Shatter: Using a verb as a magazine can be seen as daring and unusual like the music genre. Rock music

can stereotypically be associated with things shattering. The word “Shatter” has a harsh sound to it which can be associated with rock. Using one word as a masthead can be effective and is common. Also, the font of shatter an relate to the word making It more effective.

• Rock out: a simple option which denotes the genre of the magazine. Both words are short and sharp making it more memorable.

• Alter: this idea stemmed from the main focus being alternative rock and I’ve cut the word “Alternative” into alter, considered a play on words effective to young target audience?

• Titanium: a strong, powerful, mineral rock which can relate to rock music as it emits that feel too.• Distortion: a musical technique used in rock also adds a different meaning as well as it links in with

themes in rock music and what rock can represent.• Mercury: connotation of poison and danger which rock lyrics can denote or imply.• ARP (Alternative rock press): Using letters to spark interest and being more memorable and catchy.• Phantom: mysterious tone set and makes the magazine itself more of a mystery• Paradox: creates an inquisitive, illusion like tone to the magazine an implication of rock• Ebony: Can relate to rock as its typically black and strong and valuable• Amps: short for amplify – a musical term• Oblivion: sets an unknown, anonymous tone to the magazine• Solar: relates to astronomy a connotation that rock is out of this world as is the magazine as well as being

a short unusual name• Ignite: A powerful verb perhaps relating to rocks strong forces and fire and rage side. Also makes the

magazine appear more dominant.

Colour SchemeColour Scheme Codes and conventions:

First of all, a colour scheme forms a house style to the magazine therefore whatever colour scheme is picked it should flow consistently throughout the whole magazine. There should be too many colours selected for the colour scheme other it will be overwhelming – unless is for a younger audience. The colours should represent the genre of the magazine whereby shades are important for doing this as dark colours can stereotypically be related to rock and bright colours link with pop. A colour scheme should also reveal the target audience, colours can be manipulate to meet different social groups needs for instance neon and bright colours can link to young children whilst pastel colours can appeal to older audiences.

Colour Scheme IdeasColours Effect

Black, white, Electric blue Bright contrasting colours that will make each other stand out. Black can be heavily associated with rock, white can contrast rock and electric blue is lively and the connotations of “electric” can refer to electric guitars – a main instrument to rock

Black, White, Red The colours juxtapose each other and instantly stand out. The bright red can connate, pain as well as romance common themes in rock.

Black, white, neon green These colours make each other stand out and the bright green holds connotations of poison, toxic and nature which can relate to rock themes

Black, White, Yellow Each colour would stand out from each other. Yellow is commonly used with rock as it is sharp, bright and powerful in some way.

Black, white, Electric blue, bright purple

A mix of four colours could be effective. Mix of colours could be seen as too soothing or a good colour combination

FontsFont is a very important aspect to print products. This is because it is used to portray a particular message to the audience and can be manipulated to suit genre and target audience aimed. Font can help to extinguish the magazines branding and establish their house styles.

Sans Serif is one of the basic fonts that is commonly used in the body of the magazine – the article. It is considered a new, modern font which can attract a teenage target audience due to its sleek appearance. The clear spacing between the letters and equal width creates an appealing, consistent look as well as being easily readable. I would use Sans serif for the article font as its simple but effective in terms meeting my niche market of older teenagers.

Strengths:

• Popular and commonly used

• Can be used in a variety of areas: headings, article, captions etc…

• Effective in attracting a wider reaching audience

• More Versatile• Variety of different

types.

Weakness’:

• Nothing fancy about it can be too plain depending on TA

• Overuse can be considered boring

• Better at small size• Better on the

computer then print.

Some popular Serif Fonts

Serifs involve decorative accents on the end of their strokes that make up each character their characteristics include the iconic decorative accents and the changes from thick to thin strokes throughout the individual characters so the distribution is not equal. Serif is a font relatable to older times and has a classic approach through the ages. A more mature audience would approve of this font as is an authentic old font. Therefore, I will like be using this font as my target audience is teenage viewers and Serif is old fashioned as opposed to modern which is what they’d look for. In Addition, the genre of Alternative rock won’t suit this original and classic font and so a more modern and quirky font is required to meet my genre.

Strengths:

• A lot of choice differing greatly

• Easy to read on print products.

• Preferred by older audiences.

• Been around longer- more reliable.

Weakness’

• Less versatile than Sans serif

• Used less nowadays

• More limited in where can used – mostly just for bodies of text.

Script font is a joint font style and almost takes the simalarity of hand written writing to some. This creates a realistic and personal connotation to the text. In addition, the grace and precision of this style of font creates a better representation of more peaceful or classic subgenres such as jazz and other classical music form. In addition, can be more of a feminine and older generation target audience too as it is like a delicate art associated with older possibly ,upmarket, women. Due to this analysis it is clear I shouldn’t acquire this font style as I needn’t attract an older audience nor will my genre of rock suit the artistic approach of font.

Strengths:

• Very nice and appealing to look out

• Great at attracting a niche market of older women

• Adds a personal touch• Gives an illusion that it

is hand written• Suits the classical genre

well• Posh and upper class

feel

Weakness’

• Only used occasionally

• Overwhelming in huge amounts

• Can be hard to read• Not attractive to

younger ages• Doesn’t suit a lot of

music genres.• Not versatile.

Display Fonts are used to draw attention and emphasize text. Used for important elements on a magazine such as the masthead, titles and cover lines which highlight the magazine. Should be used on every magazine at least for the masthead, an effective one preferably to brand the magazine and make it known – display fonts can suit any genre and a wide reaching audience depending on the style you choose as you can have an old fashioned style, a modern one, and quirky one etc… in terms of my magazine I would choose a different abstract type to represent a rock magazine.

Strengths:

• When used sparingly is effective

• Great in branding a product

• Eye catching, attracting the audience.

• Variety of display fonts available

• Can be manipulated to fit any niche market

Weakness’:

• Looks horrible if over used

• Some styles can be impossible to read

• Determining where to use it can be difficult.

Hand Lettered font is referred as a freestyle like font and considered relatable to humans as it gives a personal touch. This is why this style is usually used in editorials due to it being a personal message as well as potential use in bylines as it refers to actual people so should be hand lettered. In terms of appealing to certain genres a more classic font style could be used for editorials and byline and to a older audience like classical music, jazz, opera. Whereas in modern music genres like rap, R&B, pop the hand lettered would be more modern – it is versatile. I would use hnd lettered for the editorial and bylines.

Strengths:

• Personal touch, audience feel more welcome to it

• A variety of styles to choose from

• Precise to editorial and bylines

• Can suit any niche market depending on which you choose.

Weakness’

• Only used sparingly

• Can be difficult to read for some

Article Analysis

Magazine: Kerrang issue 1540Article title: Ace of WavesPage: 4-5

This particular article is in the form of question and answer and the interviewee is a rock star: Lemmy. I like the language use throughout this article as they’ve given it a particular theme of pirates due to the “Ace of waves” tour title and so this has rein enforced words and phrases such as: “Shiver me timbers”, “Rock n role Pirate”. In my opinion is adds a fun, relaxed, comical tone to the article which is always enjoyable for the young target audience. In addition, the language is explicit in that it contains swearing this is admirable as it keeps to the accurate responses of the interviewee and makes it more realistic as opposed to sugar coated. In addition it makes it suitable for the target audience and adds another comical element to it. In addition, I like the language used in the interrogatives in that the interviewer also matches the comical, fun theme of this Q& A: “ Did you feel like captain lemmy?” This links in with the theme and is an unusual question making it more interesting to see the response. Also; “Meow.So.What was it like playing a boat” The onomatopoeia “meow” further expands the comical feel and the interjection “So” makes the interview more realistic as its portrayed word for word making it more effective. Furthermore the article itself is a reasonable length for a interview as there is a lot of content and so makes it a successful interview. Also the variety of interrogatives was another plus point as feelings, plans, memories, downfalls, positives etc… were covered within the interview as the audience got to find out as much as possible.

Magazine: KerrangArticle title: Secrets of the lyric booksPage: 2-3

The purpose of this article I’ve chosen is to reveal true meanings and implications behind parts of lyrics written by the bands covered within the music genre of the magazine. The article provides the original copy from the lyric book, annotations on what certain lines meant to them and a summary for each. I like the idea of this article and its format I believe it truly engages the audience and the noun “secrets” in the title itself automatically draws the readers. In a way this article is a mix of free flowing and question and answer as the artists explain the inner meaning to the lyrics and there is general article text too. I find incorporating a mix of the free flowing and interview style interesting and captivating. I admire the use of annotation to these images as part of the article it pinpoints the certain areas needed and its incongruity makes it effective and stand out. I like the freedom of language as explicit language is used occasionally and the magazine is professional about it and include it since it is suitable due the age range of teenage onwards. The article layout is quite good as it is dissected into part sections so each lyric book has its own area, so there is a clear distinction and its easy to read and follow as well as organised and appealing. There is little writing to the article which can be a positive where so its not overwhelming and easy to read. In addition, I like the added touch of including doddles within the article to match the hand written lyric theme – it seta fun atmosphere which is always good for a potentially young audience.

Magazine: Classic RockArticle title: Nickelback explain the album titlePage:7-8

The main title itself is quite interesting as the use of proper noun “Nickelback” using the band name as the first word instantly draws attention. The imperative “Explain” is interesting too as the reader would be increased in knowing the explanation and it hints more then “tell” but isn't over like “discuss” explain was the right one to use. In comparison to the Kerrang magazine the language was more formal which can make it more comfortable to read to some as it signifies respect to both the reader and the artists of interest. I liked that the article included “the album title” as well as listing the songs within this particular album as it makes sense that the title involves the album to which is expanded on later. I like how the article included dialogue from the Nickelback members to where they did what the title said they would. The article contains a lot of statistical information: “ follow ups to the 2011’s”, “November 17” – enough to impress and create a nostalgic tone and not too much and so it doesn’t overwhelm or bore the audience. I also like the image given with this article of a middle shot from a live performance of Nickelback it engages the audience and make them feel involved within the article.

Article Ideas

Interviews on:• Performances• Newest

Albums/singles• Tours• Their story

Story behind the making of the band/artist: How they became interested in music, how the band formed…

The latest hits Legends of rock article - history

News & gossip on bands/artist