Introduction

For this AS Media Studies course I have been asked to create a magazine which will have; a front page cover, a contents page and a double page spread. I will be using this blog to present my planning of creating this magazine, I will be including images of coursework and notes explaining what those images are.
The first piece of coursework that I have done is my proposal form, this simply explains what magazine I plan to create and what it is going to include:

My idea for the breif will be a music magazine that is based on the charts, downloads and recent music. It will include images of bands, popstars and interviews with them... Which will make it more appealing towards the target audience and encourage them more to buy the magazine. The genre of my magazine will be pop, R'n'B, dance etc. Anything that is included in the charts which could possibly be any type of music really. Target audience would be a teenage audience as the magazine that I am creating is like a teen magazine, teens mainly take an interest in it, it would be appealing to both genders as they both may take an interest in the charts. Major conventions I will use would be;

• Masthead: bright, bold, noticeable. The masthead tends to be at the top left corner as of the way we read automaticaaly from the top left corner and from the way magazines are stacked.
• Essential Information: date, issue number. The date and issue number would tend to be beside the mastheading, which makes it noticeable.
• Main sell-line: enigma code which is a word that has two meanings to it, it teases the target audience and draws the in. Gives the impression of good value, white space may be used to suggest style.
• Sub-heading: this basically explains the enigma code/teaser.
• Sell-lines: barcoades and issue numbers tend to be backgrounded, but also noticeable.
• Colour: the palette is restricted to a few contrasting colours for maxium impact. Magazine companies use attractive colours to encourage the audience to buy the magazine, they also tend to use colours that relate to the target audience.
• Main Image: builds an image/identity for the magazine. Attracts the audience; makes the magazine stand out by using one central image. Using one central image rather than loads of images gets the target audiences attention and makes it more appealing towards them. It gives the magazine a identity, lets the audiences know if the magazine is aimed at a certain gender, creates a greater impact.