Research and Planning: Intital Planning (Contents Page)

After gathering my audience responses from my questionnaire I was able to put together a series of initial plans on what my contents may look like. I used their answers as it will therefore give me ideas on what my target audience would like to see in a new Indie/Rock music magazine.

Idea 1:

Positives:

• Interesting to look at - draws the readers eye without looking to overbearing or lopsided.


• How the contents is broken down into sub-categories -makes it easier to read and therefore the reader is able to take a quick look at the contents, is able to find what they are looking for or interested in quickly, without having to read a lot of text.


• Like the prompt in the top left hand corner - gives the reader an added extra that other magazines don't provide. It also allows the reader a chance to see the next issue and have a rough idea on whether they will buy it or not.


• The masthead - the odd angle connotes fun, excitement and informality which will appeal to the target audience of young people. The sideways cut banner also resembles the front cover design with the masthead, therefore providing a theme and a brand image.


• The informal language of the sub-categories in the contents - this appeals to the target audience of young people as it connotes a fun, informal and laid back approach.

• Like the pictures - This shows the audience what is inside the magazine without going into lots of detail, therefore allowing the reader to take a glimpse of what is inside without having to read a lot of text and appealing to the target audience of young people.

• Like how the page numbers are inside the picture - easier and quicker to find by the reader.

Negatives:

• The letter from the editor could be smaller - the target audience of young don't find it interesting and the fact that the letter tries to make it seem that the editor is a real person and provide a relationship with the reader doesn't appeal to them.

Improvements:

• Smaller letter to the editor.

Overall: 8/10

Idea 2:

Positives:

• Modern language - appeals to the target audience of young people.


• Kept writing to a minimum in the contents - less to read and therefore the reader can see what is inside the magazine without having to read a lot of text.

Negatives:

• Don't like small picture of the cover - Irrelevant and is just a waste of space. You can turn over to the front cover to see it, so why have it there as well.

• Layout is boring - split too much i.e. all the pictures on one side and writing on the other. No real imagination and is just boring to look at.


• Contents is just too square - boring and doesn't catch the readers eye.

Improvements:

• Smaller letter to the editor.


• No picture of the cover inside the contents page.


• Mix up the layout so that it is not too split up.

Overall: 3/10

Idea 3:

Positives:

• Easy to see what's there - clear and simple for the reader to find out what's inside the contents without having to read through a lot of text.


• Modern language - to appeal to the target audience of young people.

Negatives:

• Not enough pictures - too boring to look at and nothing catches the reader's eye.


• Layout too boring - too split i.e. all pictures on one side and the text on the other.


• Text in the contents page too long - too much to read and the audience won't be bothered to read it all when they could just flick through the magazine.

Improvements:

• More pictures.
• Less text in the contents page.
• More interesting layout.
• Maybe include an editor's pick of the week

Overall: 3/10

Overall my target audience preferred the first version. They liked the layout as it was evenly spaced out and the fun masthead, at odd angles, draws the attention to the magazine. The uneven and odd angles also connote the magazines fun, youthful and informal air, whilst having the similar mastheads for both the cover and the contents page establish a brand image and a theme. The odd angles also help to reflect the Indie music industry as it connotes rebellion against the mainstream magazine layouts and designs. They liked how the contents was split into sub headings so that the reader can find the thing that they want easily and quickly. The informal language also helps to appeal to the target audience of young people.

The improvements that they gave were to lessen the writing in the letter to the editor as the target audience finds it unnecessary and a waste of space. The same could be said about the front cover inside the contents page. Finally they said to include a small editor's pick of week etc., maybe in a small star shaped bubble, to appeal the the audience and further connote a fun and youthful side to the magazine and therefore draw in the target audience.