Question 4

As seen above, the front cover image received 31 of the number 1 ranks for the feature which most draws someone to a magazine. I already know that the front cover image was the feature which most draws me to buy a magazine due to buying them myself, however I didn't think this many people agreed. This result emphasizes how important the front cover image is and how important it is to take time with to get the right photo. It also made me think about what type of photo I want on the front and the type of message I want my readers to get from viewing it. Ranked second is the stories and plugs featured on the front page, which I have already began to think about: I want the readers to have a personal connection with my magazine; I want them to feel as thought they are the only person who knows this information. This is why I am including features such as "Behind the scenes with..." and "V Fest: who's there?". Ranked third is an amusing headline. Having began making my magazine, I'm finding it difficult than expected to invent the persona of the main artist on the front page (my friend Reece). I need to invent a quirky name for him which stands out, and from there, invent an amusing headline which also ties in with my double page spread. After a while, and looking at a lot of other Q magazines, I have decided against using an amusing headline because I don't think it fits with the style of photo I have planned for the front page: a close up of the artist with a serious facial expression. I will, however, consider using a pun in the quote, instead. Ranked last, as I thought, is the layout. Thinking about it now, I've realised how the layout isn't very important to the reader: because if the magazine follows the conventions of a normal music magazine, then the layout will be appealing anyway, and so the layout is only appealing to the creator of the magazine. I already have an idea in mind for the layout of my magazine and I doubt I will stray very far from this idea due to the simplicity of it.

The second part of question 4 is the written answer which all respondents must complete. I hoped that all the respondents would take the question seriously, however a few didn't, so I have taken their answers out and selected the relevent comments. Below is the answers which the other 34 respondents gave:

It makes it easier to see details

I have seen many magazines like this and think it attracts more attention

Because it gives the reader a proper sense of the genre of magazine due to the clarity of the picture

Long shots feel too far away and close ups are too in your face

Feels closer to the artist, more engaging

Close detail to the artist, more engaging

Closer detail to the person

Because it shows dominance and confidence within the photo

Easier to use/see

I don’t have a preference, it depends upon the story that the picture is promoting

It’s what they mostly have on front covers and I think it looks professional

Focuses on subject’s face and you can see some of the clothing which can match the colour scheme of the magazine

See what people are wearing

It allows you to see their face and clothes without the image looking too crowded

Eye catching

I like to see what the person is wearing

It fits on an A4 page better

Looks better

Usually appealing

Gain more information

I like finding odd details about the artist which I might not have noticed before

I can't, of course, analyse every single answer, because magazines can be subjective and I know my magazine won't appeal to everyone. However, a couple of the answers seemed relevant to me: for example, numerous people said that a close up makes them feel closer to the artist, and it's more engaging - this is partly the reason why I have decided to change my front cover plan [the final result is on my rough cut with I will upload]. Also, comments such as a close up shows 'confidence and dominance' in the photo gives me confidence because using a close up for the front of my magazine brings with it the attitude which I want my main artist to have; I want the readers to have a positive reaction when they see the photo. The fact that 20 people said the layout was the thing which they cared about the least was good because that gives me more space to experiment and work within what I've noticed about the magazines I've analysed. The plugs and an amusing headline were voted joint second (each with 3 votes) as the things which most draws the readers to the magazine. However, as they weren't deemed very important at all, I know that I should concentrate on my front cover image the most. I have decided to use my artist's name (which I haven't chosen yet) as the main headline across the bottom of page, which means I can build the character of the artist by using a quote along the side of the page which will be short and straight to the point.