Test Shots

Here are my tests shots that I have taken for my magazine front cover and contents page. It helped me figure out what I need for lighting, mise-en-scene and props. In order to really reflect the genre of R&B I have given my models a sultry yet sophisticated look, this is shown in the clothing (or lack of) and the facial expression.
My model will wear gold jewelry such as earrings and a simple chain to tie in with my colour scheme of gold, black and white. Her make-up will be minimal, nothing to bold as that may reflect another genre. These photos taken were inspired by Kelly Rowland who is popular in the R&B scene. I noticed that Kelly's make up is usually minimal with a nude lip and light eye shadow. So i will make sure my model reflects this look.

Shot List

This is my shot list that will guide me in my photo taking, by creating this shot list it makes the process of photo taking a lot more easy. It gives me a rough idea on the mise en scene, props and shot angles.

Visual Moodboard

Hear is my visual moodboard which describes my chosen genre R&B. I used word such as soul, passion, sensual, exciting, urban, unique, smooth and melodic which I believe reflects my genre.

Flat Plan Feedback

Selina
I love the way its laid out, its really effective. I wouldn't change much about this, however when creating this on Photoshop be careful with the text on top of the hair so it  doesn't clash. This is simple yet effective.

Dawn/Sabrina
You need to include your barcode, price and pull quote, but its really good. You should number the pictures on your contents page. On your double page spread, only use one pull quote do you dont give to much away, so that people will need to read it all.

Sonali/Komal/Tiasha
I really like detail in this and I love the masthead, its so unique.
I love the whole thing
However, make the font bigger to fill the spaces.

Flat Plan Draft

My focus group and survey help me immensely in terms  of the construction of my magazine front c over, contents page and double page spread. Firstly, I have been able to come up with  a unique colour scheme of gold, black and white. I was heavily inspired by 'Rolling Stones' for my front cover as i really admire their layout and format. This helped my front cover look professional and conventional. I feel that using the one image on my front cover helps to give it more meaning and clarity. I feel it represents my chosen genre 'R&B' as its sensual yet sophisticated.

In regards to my contents page, I was again influenced by 'Rolling Stones' magazine with a mixture of 'Q' magazine. I intend to get a few photos of both male and females to represent the range and versatility of R&B. I will include latest gossip from R&B stars, their personal styling tips and how to subscribe to this music magazine. I will also include an editors letter. In terms of the cohesiveness of my magazine; I will use the same fonts for magazine (although not shown on flat plan) and colours.

 

Lastly, I created my double page spread without the influence of other established magazines. Having the upcoming artists name at the top of the page and really bold stands out to the audience & lures them in. Having a happy cheerful pose sets the mood. Again, it will be cohesive as colours scheme will prominent.   

Audience Research 2: Focus Group

 Here is a video of my focus group where I have included 2 of my peers aged 17 and two students in the year below aged 15. I varied the ages on purpose as I wanted  to get varied opinions because opinions can change as you get older. They were given 4 music magazine covers and judged them and answered questions that I created in order to hear their opinions. I found this extremely helpful to here their opinions on what is pleasing to the eye yet appropriate

These are the front cover music magazines that i gave to my focus group to analyse.

Survey Question Analysis

The survey that I conducted really helped me and pushed me in the right direction for my music magazine. From the first question, I realised that me creating a R&B music magazine was going in the right direction. I also discovered that the main image and model is what really draws readers in, therefore I will need to focus a lot on that. I then found out that the latest R&B gossip/news will help lure readers in also, so I will use that in my cover lines and captions. Some thing that I am really excited about is the colour scheme of my music magazine which I have now discovered, gold, black and white is something I believe will really stand out to my audience and it really reflects the genre of R&B.

Audience Research: Survey Question

These are my general survey questions that i will ask a range of people within my target audience. Asking these question will bring me one another step further into developing my magazine front cover. I will have the information that appeals to my target audience in terms of colour scheme, main image, pricing etc. Here is a link to this survey on survey monkey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WBSMX9H

Artist Profile

Reader Profile

Research of Genre

 This video is part of the examples of old R&B which is a contrast to a more modern song for example below
 I hope for my magazine to reflect the older form of R&B as I believe it involves the soul and passion of R&B a bit more than modern R&B.

Market Research

Here is some further research that I conducted on some popular magazines. By doing this I am able to familiarize myself with the conventions of music magazines. It has also made it clearer to my how I am going to reach my target audience and what appeals to them in terms of colours, fonts, images and so on.