Print brief research and planning

1) Find at least five music magazine front covers (either current or former magazines as many have stopped their print editions) aimed at a similar target audience to your project (mainstream music audience) and research music magazine key conventions. For each one, pick out one design idea, convention or image/text style that you could use in your own print work. 

I like two design ideas from this poster, first the high angle shot taken of Beabadoobee and secondly, the background using graphic arts to create this sort of illusion.

I like the font of the text as the way it has been position on the right side making it easier to read alongside the main mage. What makes it better is that the slant given to all the text fits together with the angle the photo was taken.

I like Chappell Roans bright makeup and white base that stands out against the dark backgrounds.

I like the colour scheme of using pink mixed with black that also can be seen in his outfit (socks). This strong juxtaposition lures the audience in with a pop of colour.

The low key lighting on the main figure draws in attention. Especially how it looks dark against the bright background.

2) Find at least five from music magazines on Google images. How are they designed? How are text and images displayed? What design tricks can you borrow from your examples?

I like how the image of Billie is spread out in the middle of the double page as well as how it also complements the colour scheme by having her in one shade of pink.

The horizontal image sticks out on one side of the page where the empty space is the middle is filled with writing. Its not overcrowding but gives a good design to awe the readers.

I like the way they used bold subtitles with a different font as it looks like the letter are cut out from a strip of black. What also draws my attention, is the stars plastered across the double spread to fill empty space but can also reinforce this indie, y2k style.

The white text on black magazine paper is quite different from others as not only does it reinforce the genre but also helps the text stand out against the big and busy images.

    
3) Find at least five magazine contents pages - ideally from music magazines - from Google images. How are they designed? How are images used alongside text? How are page numbers displayed? 

This content page has a photobooth black and white retro style. On the left shows people who have helped or contributed to this piece of media. The right is where the features and page numbers are of what content is found inside.

(I'm doing a tour poster)

4) Find at least five music artist tour posters from Google images. How are they designed? How are images used alongside text? Which UK venues would suit your artist or band? Some examples:   

Beabadoobees poster is presented like a children's drawing which can reinforce the meaning of her album and songs produced. The font of the album also matches this.

This is more y2k themes where it uses a blue colour theme. Its positioned to show the main artists while the background appeals like the ocean which can link to their band name. This is a North America tour, however their venues are not extremely mainstream but are still well known.

I like the full page poster where the image over takes, it is also SZAs album cover which is recognisable to an audience. Her tour is based in America however i like how her location and dates are both in different fonts and colours to show a separation to fans. 

Billie Eilish made it clear by putting her while poster in a blue scale and the important information in a bright orange. So that would be her artist name, tour name, her clothes and the dates.

Billie's tour is big she hasn't specified the places but the cities she's visiting or having a concert at multiple days.

This one is also a full picture which has a blurred picture of Lizzy McAlpine running from the back. This can focus the attention onto the tour locations. They are positioned at the top so its the first things audiences can read.

5) Read at least three example music interview features from newspapers and magazines to learn the format, writing style and content for a music magazine interview. You may wish to use the following to help you:

'I'm an alchemist': Nova, the unknown MC with the Scottish album of the year (900 words)

Rapper SL: ‘When I was coming up, there was nobody else on my level’ (500 words)

Davido on his song ‘FEM’ becoming an #ENDSARS anthem: “It’s amazing to see” (1,500 words)

Tom Vek tells us about his surprise album ‘New Symbols’ (1,300 words)

Interview: 'There's something to scream about': Bring Me the Horizon's pandemic political awakening (1,600 words)

Planning and sketching

1) Plan the content and cover lines for your front cover:

Title (must be NEW original mainstream music magazine you have invented):HyperWave

Slogan: riding the soundwaves/ surf the sound

Cover image: High angle shot, using digital camera to cover face 

Main cover story/main flash: Rising star

Additional cover lines: indie or industry, best new artists of the year,

Additional two smaller cover images: right top close up of side of face of a friend, and another 3/4

Font style / colour scheme, additional design aspects: Blue to fit the genre 

2) Plan the images you will use for the front cover - use the elements of mise-en-scene (CLAMPS). One main image and two smaller images required to meet the minimum content in the brief.

Main image-

C= white top and hoodie and baggy jeans, star clips and jewellery

L=bright and clear

A=using myself and a friend

M=not too attentive but shiny

P=digital camera and accessories

S=in bedroom using a backdrop and in school

3) Plan the content for your inside page feature:

Subject of feature: 

Headline: breaking the sound barrier: An exclusive with Ditto/ inside the mind of 

Subheading: Pop-Indie Star Ditto Talks About Her New Single

Main image: wide low angle shot

Smaller images (need minimum of four across the three pages) 

Font style / colour scheme, additional design aspects: blue colour scheme kept without the magazine, boarder around the main image whilst others look like cut outs.

4) Write the 400 word interview feature you will use for the inside page spread. This must be 100% original and written by you. It may help to use a Q&A approach to this interview.  

Inspo: The Music Week Interview - Beabadoobee | Interviews | Music Week

558 words

Pop-Indie Star Ditto Talks About Her New Single

The indie-pop scene has been buzzing ever since Ditto announced the release of her latest single, In My Mind. Known for her meaningful lyrics, Ditto has once again proven her creative skills. We sat down with her to discuss her inspiration, her journey, and what her fans can look forward to next.

Other: Congratulations on the release of your new single, In My Mind. I have to say you outdid yourself this time with the visuals and the story.

Me: Thank you! This song is really personal to me.

 

Other: Of course I'm going to have to start and ask, What inspired this song?

Me: Well it's a bit difficult to explain. It’s about teenagers experience during Covid-19 where they often think back to their happiest times. It's like capturing those moments when you feel like the world finally makes sense, even if it’s just for a second. I drew a lot of inspiration from my own friendship, when I needed an escape or someplace to just be myself I would always end up back with them.

Other: Wow I never knew that there would be so much in just a single song. I feel like your personal life plays in your music. Are there any real-life experiences woven into this single?

Me: Oh, yes definitely. My music is a reflection of what I’m going through, even if it’s not always literal. With In My Mind, I did want it to feel intimate but also cinematic—like a scene in a film where everything just clicks. Most of the footage were videos that were stored away in my phone, I was looking back at them and that made me realise how much I didn't appreciate the moments I had with friends.

Other: I see so it was like a sort of realisation, it's an action everyone does when they're upset or miss someone. Fans have noticed how your visuals often tie into your music especially for your footwear partnership. Can you tell us about the aesthetic for this release?

Ditto: Yeh they sort of do, I've always believed that music is just one piece of the story. For this single the visuals were inspired by light—how it interact to create something beautiful. Being sponsored by Filah helped play with the concept showing how shoes can bring us a long way in life.

Music Mag: You’ve built such a loyal fan base. What do you hope they take away from this song?

Ditto: I hope they feel seen. Whether they’re driving at night with the windows down or lying in their room with headphones on, I want this song to feel like a hug, I want to let them know they're not alone.

Music Mag: What’s next for you? Can we expect more new music soon?

Ditto: This single is part of a larger project I’ve been working on. I don’t want to give too much away.

Music Mag: We're all going to be excited for that. Any parting words for your fans?

Me: Just a huge thank you. Their support means the world to me, and I can’t wait to share more with them. 

In My Mind is available now on all streaming platforms. Stay tuned for more updates from Ditto—the indie-pop world’s brightest star is just getting started!

5) Plan and write the text for your contents page. This will need to include a range of features and interviews that are not related to your artist but that do fit your target audience and brief (mainstream music magazine). 

Tour poster locations:

tour 2025= The Mind tour

-Dublin=Olympic theatre

-Bristol=O4 academy

-Nottingham=rock city

-Newcastle= NX

-Manchester=Manchester academy

-Sheffield=foundry

-Glasgow=ballauland ballroom

-brighten=chalk

-Southampton=engine rooms

-London= O2 academy

6) Research and select the font or typography you will use for your magazine. This is a critical element of your print work - the brief requires a consistent house style running through all of your pages. 

Crystal Universe by MaxiGamer

 -for the Titles

Vogue à € by Vladimir Nikolic  -rest of writing

7) Produce an A4 sketch of your front cover design and scan it/upload a picture to your blog.

8) Produce A4 sketches of your inside page feature with clear layout of where headline, subheading, images and text will appear on the pages. Scan or upload a picture to your blog.

9) Produce an A4 sketch of your contents page/tour poster design and scan it/upload a picture to your blog.

10) Finally, create the pages in Adobe Photoshop or InDesign so you have the documents ready to go in terms of adding your text and images. This will need to include:

A4 portrait for front cover

A4 portrait for contents page

A3 landscape for double page feature

1) Who do you need to photograph for your front cover and inside page images? Remember, you need seven original images across the whole print production. 

All of the main images such as the front cover, tour poster and inside features would be of me as i have posed as the artist Ditto. However to give the magazine more depth and to build more on my music video concept, I intent to take images of other 'artists' for the front cover and even include my concept of friendship by having 2 photo booth photos.

2) What camera shots do you need? Write a shot list or draw a storyboard for your photoshoots. Make sure you plan a variety of camera shots you will look to capture - medium shots, close-ups etc.

Front

-high angle medium shot

-close up shot

-medium shot

inside

-wide shot, low angle

-medium close up x2

- medium shot

3) Plan the mise-en-scene. What costume, props or make-up will you require for your photoshoots?

costume=casual, baggy clothes normally seen on teenagers. Also adding accessories.

Lighting=very bright and clear with a few darker shots to show contrast.

Actors=It will be me and one or two of my friends.

Make-up= casual/ natural

Props=adding in instruments and digital camera.

Setting=Most of it will be at home with a set up, while others will be done at school or outside 

4) Finally, note down the time and date for your photoshoots. This may be inside or outside school (or a combination of both). You will have Media lesson time for this after the mock exams.

During half term on the 18th/17th.

Statement of Intent

1) Once you have completed your print research and planning, go back to your statement of intent and make sure you have included the print brief in your final draft. Then, submit the final draft statement of intent to your teacher. The due date for this will be confirmed by your coursework teacher.