Selecting a Font

An important part of planning for my music magazine was choosing the font to use for my masthead. It was vital that I chose the correct font as the masthead is possibly the most important part of a magazine as (apart for the central image) it's the first thing the read looks at. I wanted the font to carry the right connotations and suggestions about what my magazine is about and the type of content that can be found inside. I considered several different options as shown above and in the end I decided to chose the font on the right. I really like this font as I feel it's very attractive to the eye and stylish which will appeal to my target audience of teenagers. It reminds me of the typical american college font which is perfectly cohesive with the genre of my magazine. It also has a sleek, finished look to it which I really like as I want my magazine to look as polished and professional as possible. Overall the font carries positive, strendy connotoations which leads the reader to think the content inside will be of a similar nature which is why I believe it's the right choice..

Chosing the Final Name

After considering several different possibilites for the name of my magazine, I have decided that the best option is 'Ego'. As I have already expressed in my last post, I love the connotations that 'Ego' carries and its relevance to my magazine about new music artists trying to build up their Egoes. This title is also perfect for my magazine as it is short and snappy, meaning it is easily memorable as well as being appealing to my target audience of teenageres between 16 and 18. Now that I have selected a name, I will need to experiment with different fonts to see which looks the most effective and attractive for the front cover of my publication.

Creating a Name

Now that I've selected a specific genre for my magazine, the next vital element that I need to decide on before creating my publication is the name of it. It's essential that I make sure that the name of my magazine is appropriate for the genre I have chosen and that it also carries the right connotations. I also want the name of my magazine to be appealing to my target audience of teenagers, therefore i feel that a short, snappy headline for my publication may be the best well-suited. This will also make my magazine eye-catching and instantly recognisable.

I have considered several different options for the name of my magazine:

• Tunes - I quite like this option due to the use of the colloqualism as I feel this will appeal to a my target audience of teenagers.
• USA Today - although tis title does express the main aim of the magazine, I feel this option is a little too corny and inappropriate for an older teenage audience. There's also no real indication of it being a music magazine.
• Ego - I really like this name as I feel it carries both positive and negative connotations therefore causes a little controversy which will be a talking-point for my magazine. I also like the fact it is relevant to my music magazine about new and up-coming artists as these will be trying to build up there own egoes within the music industry. This also fulfills my aims of having a short and snappy name which I expressed above.
• New Music -
• Music Now - I feel these are both strong possible contenders because they ultimately express the main focus of the magazine of introducing new music to the UK.
• Teen Brits - I don't really like this name as I feel the use of 'teen' within the title appears slightly patronising towards teenagers, especially as I have chosen slightly older teenagers (16-18) as my target audience. I also think it's a little misleading although the magazine will be aimed at British teens the magazine will ultimately be focussed on the American Pop industry.

Chosing a Genre and a Target Audience

The most important thing I need to decide upon before beginning the production of my own music magazine is the genre it will be based upon. I also need to ensure that I have a clear, set target audience in mind throughout the process of making the publication, meaning that everything within the magazine will be especially catered to suit the likes and dislikes of my specific audience.

From examining and researching several music magazines of varying genres - including RollingStone, Q, Kerrang and NME - I have realised there is a hole in the market for a British magazine solely dedicated to bringing American pop music across the water and introducing the UK to new and up-coming American talents within the pop industry. Therefore this is what I have decided to focus my magazine on as a genre.

Given that the genre I have chosen is American pop music, I feel that the most appropriate and well-suited target audience will be teenagers of around 16-18 as at this age teens are growing-up and branching out, looking for new, individual styles in music therefore it is an ideal opportunity to introduce them to some of the new music coming out from America.

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Magazine Conventions