Media Evaluation

1. Media Evaluation …by Joe Robinson

2. Youth In Revolt A • I have produced a music magazine named Youth In Revolt. It is primarily aimed at metal music lovers and teenagers of the metal scene in general.

4. Overview – 3 Pages Page 1 – Front Cover B+C • I chose a graffiti styled font for the name of my magazine. Like the cracked glass effect on the Kerrang Logo, my font represents rebelliousness and danger to give it a somewhat conflicting look. Also, at the same time, it contrasts to Kerrang Magazine through the way the title’s custom font looks creative, as if it was created by the Youth itself, hence the handprints and ‘scruffy’ appearance. • The colour of the deep purple plays a key role throughout the magazine. I chose this colour because it has not yet been done and therefore gives YiR an independent and new look about it. This colour remains consistent throughout the magazine to make it look like it’s own. • My pictures consist of the Sell Your Sky band members. The two similar pictures are of the front men standing in front of a white wall. This makes these two members the main focus of the picture which helps facial recognition and which would also help purchase. A similar method is used in the 16th October 2010 edition of Kerrang magazine. (Picture displayed on following slide.) It features the guitarist of My Chemical Romance in front of a white background. This helps him become the main focus and helps persuasion of purchase.

6. Page 1…Still • The fonts are also a much needed aspect of my front cover. Although there is not a huge variety of them, there are changes in colours to help both readability and importance. For example the word “Exclusive” has been highlighted differently to the other fonts. “Exclusive” is a word which tells the audience that you can read the subject matter nowhere else but in Youth In Revolt Magazine. If the subject matter is one the target audience find appealing, they will want to read into it. • There are lots of sell lines in the front cover. Some examples are “Free Poster Inside!” and “In Association with (Loyalty and Devotion Clothing Logo.)” With the mention of a Free item inside, this shows the audience that they are getting good value for their money. The Mention of Loyality and Devotion and Iron Cloud clothing will also help my magazine reach a larger audience. People who may not enjoy the style of music may like the style of clothes and will feel an urge to see what is on offer.

7. Page 2 – Contents Page • My contents page shares a similar layout to one I saw in an issue of VIBE magazine. This example features 4 boxes split into different categories and similarly my contents page uses this very same method. 3 boxes separated into Magazine Features, Extras, and The Latest News. • I think the boxes play a key role as they help guide the readers eye around the page. The orientation of the boxes are in a circular motion starting from featuring, running through the latest and ending on extras. This helps fluidity of scanning and may make the difference between purchase or placing back on the shelf. • As previously mentioned the colour helps the look of the magazine. The purple borders and font help represent a brand image which makes Youth In Revolt magazine look independent and unique.

9. Page 3 – Double Page Spread • Similarly to my contents page, my double page spread keeps the brand image. The colours and font type show the consistency of the style which helps the uniqueness of my magazine show. • When readers see the double page spread, they will start with the title which predominates the top of the page. It spreads across both a4 sides and will be the first thing the reader sees. It is important this is read first because it shows what the main story is about. If the reader is interested, he/she will read on, if not then he/she shall not. • I have made my content style match an interview. I thought this was the best type of story to have as my main article because an interview is complete contact with the stars. Readers who pick up Youth In Revolt magazine will see that some of their famous artists have finally been asked the FAQ’s which they will want to know. • There is an informal and colloquial writing style within the interview. This shows the reader that the interview is all friendly and kept in a cheerful tone. For example words such as “nailing” are alternative ways of expressing meaning which relate to the style of the magazine. With language choices such as this, it almost looks like jargon to those not in the Target Audience which helps emphasize who the target market are.

11. Front Cover Image C • My front cover image is of the 2 front men of a huge local band known as ‘Sell Your Sky.’ I took the picture of them in front of a white wall so there could be no other distraction in the picture other than themselves. I think with the addition of the whitewall, the picture looks more focused on the 2 band members and therefore the main story of my magazine cover. • I would also mention the band members are wearing clothes relatable to the music scene. Rob (right) is wearing an ‘Iron Cloud Clothing’ top (which is also another story in my magazine.) and Aaron is wearing a local band tee.

12. Representation D • My represented social group would be teenagers. My magazine shows this well through the way it presents its rebellious aspects and colourful creativity. The rebelliousness of it portrays the hormonal moods and the creativity shows the potential found within the social group. Personally I think this is the most effective way my magazine would appeal to Teenagers. • I think my magazine would also appeal to anyone who finds a sense of release in the metal scene. With the combination of the music style. Interviews and clothing, a large social group will find my magazine appealing. If they do not so much like the idea of the music they will want to read in further on the fashion, and for those not interested in clothing will want to look at the latest news and/in music.

13. Institution E • My magazine would typically be sold in shops and supermarkets next to magazines such as Q and Kerrang. • Within a magazine such as Kerrang there are particular institutions used. For example you see lots of sponsors from the magazine at large gig venues such as Warped Tour and Download festival. This may include deals such as free magazines and lots of advertising.

14. Audience F • My target audience are primarily teenagers. I have aimed my magazine at youth because the general age range of metal fans tends to be from thirteen to twenty one. I have tried to make each page of my magazine (the front cover in particular) appeal to the target audience through the graffiti styled font used and the informal language written.My secondary audience would be anyone (not a teenager) who’s taste is relatable to the music promoted in my magazine. This means that although there will be some aspects to my magazine that do not appeal to this audience, (IE graffiti art), they will still read it for displayed bands, clothing etc.

15. Techniques G • I used Photoshop and a stand mounted 14 megapixel digital camera to shoot my pictures for my front cover and Double Page Spread. The band members are in a relatively brightly lit room standing in front of a white wall and camera with flash. • In Photoshop I have mainly used the dodge tool to brighten up some of the shadowy areas. This makes the wall they were stood in front of look that little bit whiter. This is important because the wall behind the two members needs to look as blank as possible. This helps the two front-men become the main focus of the image. • The double page spread also required the use of InDesign. This was the software which allowed me to put my paragraphs individually and not in and essay format (following slide shows example) I was also able to add in a faded effect to the picture while using the software. This helps the direction of the page.

16. Essay format Paragraphed

17. Looking Back I • At the beginning of my media course I wasn’t anywhere near as skilled with such tools as Photoshop as I am now. For example, I had no idea how to export files in Photoshop and I was also clueless how to use InDesign. I can now construct double page spreads with the use of columns and complex paragraph spacing. The next slide shows a comparison between my old work and my new work from my blog.

18. Simple blue box amateur in appearance with poorly placed and irrelevant white boxes. Also pictures which leave the text borders. Improved sense of fluidity. Less colour used to help professional appearance. Custom painted border instead of simple blue lines.