1. OCR Media Studies – AS Level
Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media
Preliminary Task and Log Book
Name: Thamina Lipa Chowdhury
Candidate Number: 5899
Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic College
Center Number: 64770
Set Brief - Print
Music Magazine – Production
Preliminary Task and Log Book

2. Preliminary Task – Evidence - Front Cover - Step-by-step
Gridlines created from
using the ruler tool so
that I do not go out of
those boundaries and
carefully plan where
my conventions
should go.
After opening a new blank
document, I selected the ruler
tool.
Step 1

3. I added 2 similar borders
which is slightly vertically
tilted, which creates a
unique design and also
added the St Paul’s ident on
the maroon colored border
This contrasts with the
horizontal border at the
bottom of page. This will
be for the strapline.
To create a realistic
magazine front cover I
added a bar code and
placed this in the
strapline border at
the bottom.
Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

4. In this step I created a
white box to emphasize
the barcode and separate
the barcode.
and other contents such as
social networking logos
from the strapline. This is
outlined with a maroon
colour to stick with the
theme
Here, the Masthead was
added, I manipulated the
name of the school and a
significant word “spirit” as it
is a religious college.
Created “St Paul’s Spirit
using a bold and assertive
yet friendly font, which is
stencil, to this I added a
white stroke effect
The white stroke
outline has made
the Masthead
bolder.
I also inserted the St Paul’s
website address as well as
the school motto for students
and parents to recognize the
educational institution.
Step 5 Step 6 Step 7

5. Editing the main image
Firstly by electing to use
the QUICK SELECTION
TOOL, I highlighted the
area that I wanted
cropped, which is the
student out of the
background and pressed
the ‘Q’ key on the
keyboard and this red
colour has only
highlighted the student
image so that I can
select the image area
needed.
Step 8

6. After refining the
image to my
requirements, I
selected inverse and
pressed backspace. I
had deleted the
background and then I
saved the image as a
new JPEG file.
I adjusted the SMOOTH and feather feature to
make the image look finer, smoother and
rounder on the edges so it does not look rough
or straight on the sides.
Once the background
is deleted, I saved
and inserted it into
the magazine front
cover.
Step 9

7. I opened a photo that I had taken of a student, on
a separate file and PLACED it in the centre of the
magazine cover. I aligned it with the strapline
border at the bottom of the page. As seen below,
it is only the image of the student and no
background.
Step 10
Step 11

8. I inserted the social networking logos as a
list beside the barcode in the white box, so
readers know where to read latest news
online.
The social networking logos inserted include
INSTAGRAM, a new social networking
application with includes posting images, which
is where the images used in the ‘ST PAULS
SPIRIT’ issue will be posted for students and
other individuals can follow. This will increase
It’s readers as INSTAGRAM is a new and popular
application used by many people
I also placed a TWITTER logo below this, as
well as a FACEBOOK logo, to encourage the
readers to follow and comment on these
social networking sites regarding the issues
of the magazine “St Paul’s Spirit” on the e-
media platform.
Step 12

9. Below the Masthead box, I PLACED two
images of the main student and another
sixth form student reading from a text
book.
I also edited the two smaller images
by removing the background from
both. Placing these two images
creates significance for the cover
lines.
The use of the main student in the
smaller image with another sixth form
student emphasizes the text on the
her jumper, “HOMELESS OR…” and a
book is placed below OR which
connotes the homeless or study life,
its an individuals choice for success in
the future. This image connotes a
significant element for the study life
and fits well in the magazine front
cover.
Step 13

10. I added cover lines to fill the page and make the cover look more appealing to the
readers. By adding a promotion ‘win a free HP Laptop’ increases the readers interest
as they may want to enter this competition. This is a very appealing feature on a
magazine cover. Step 14Step 13

11. I added a cover line about UCAS as
this is appealing to sixth form students
about university.
I also added a link for the twitter username for
the magazine
Here I have added the student’s name
and a main story headline.Step 15
Step 16

12. Final front cover
This includes all
elements of a front
cover as well as the
STRAPLINE which
was added as the last
step as I wanted a
very meaningful
strapline which
captures attention
from the audience.
The final addition
also includes the
price, which is the
affordable and
preferred price
range that
everyone prefers
from the
questionnaires that
have been
completed.
This completed
version of the
magazine front cover
contains all finalized
elements such as the
cover lines the
strapline which is the
school emblem, the
price and additional
smaller images of
sixth form students
and a year 11 GCSE
student holding a
results sheet, she has
a smile on her face
connoting her
happiness in her top
GCSE results. This
further encourages
the readers to read
the magazine as they
have helpful revision
tips which are the
cover lines.

13. Preliminary Task – Evidence
Contents Page Layout
Step-by-step
I began simply with rectangle shapes as
the base colour for the text. I had left a
space on the left for the name of the
school magazine, this layout was
supported by the Q magazine contents
page as they had a logo on the left
before ‘contents’. I do not have a specific
logo for the cover therefore I had used
the letters of the school magazine name,
and this was effective as the S on the
end is in the maroon colour which
portrays its significance of the word
‘spirit’ as the school community is a very
positive atmosphere.

14. From this I have
progressed by creating the
sub headings and objects.
I have added the web address for
promotion purpose and started the
editor message below.

15. There has been significant
development within this screen
grab from the previous screen
grab as it was much more
empty. This includes the editor
name, my image and cover lines
to fill the A level section.
It also includes the issue date
and number. The color scheme
of the cover lines and text is the
same color as the logo.

16. Here the main mage has been added to the page as well as the editor message, a
round object with the USP within it, with extra cover lines to fill the page.

17. Final contents page
The final prelim
contents page
consists of all
cover lines that
are essential for a
school related
news papers and
magazines. I also
used the pen tool
to shape the
editor message
around the editor
photograph. I also
included another
image to present
further another
cover line and
intrigue interest.
In this final page, I
had moved the
USP near the top
to fill the space.
The contents page
includes all basic
and required codes
and conventions
and the main image
used for the
contents repeats a
style and pose from
existing contents
page such as
billboard magazine.

18. Section 1) – Log Book

19. Music Magazine – Genre research
Music magazine front covers
Week 2

20. Contents page

21. Double page spread ideasInterview
Promotions and prizes
Week 2

22. Double page spread analysis
This long shot takes up
the left side of the
page and works as the
background of the
spread
The feature of this
double page spread
is the powerful
image of the star
positioned on an
object which is
draped in the
American flag. The
flag is also of
relevance to the
contrast of her
vibrant hair colour as
well as the
background text
“USA”
The first letter of
the text which
begins the article
is very enticing to
the readers.
The use of bold italics emphasises the
concept of the article. The image
itself represents the article
Week 2

23. Magazine for my Research
Masthead
Secondary features
Feature headline;
shows the main
subject of the
magazine.
Selling line, which
denotes what the
magazine is about
and its main genre.
Main image;
this anchors
the feature
headline.
Red colour scheme
contrasts well with
the feature image,
font colours blend
well for a simplistic
sophisticated young
feature image.
Slogan; explains the
magazine content and
addresses a certain
audience and readership.
Issue number
Week 2

24. Improvements?
• Advertisement/promotion: There is no unique selling point for this
magazine cover apart from the issue number; by adding a
promotion it will help to encourage the intended audience to buy
the magazine.
• There is another important convention which is missing from the
page, which is the issue number and date of the magazine.
Although it may not be essential with different types of magazine
covers, as this targets a specific target audience which is women,
preferably older women therefore a barcode and issue number
were not required as only the feature of the magazine is important
to the readers.
• Promotions and issue number may be essential to remember for
my music magazine front cover depending on the feature image
and concept of the magazine.
Week 2

25. Target Audience –
The target audience for Q magazine can be denoted as a young audience, and middle aged
women and men (Hartley) who are interested in specific feature stars for example Adele, many
middle aged women and young adults are interested in her music. Especially because the feature
image and secondary features have articles which are targeted for a young audience. Therefore
the audience feel they can relate to Adele and her story in the magazine. This relates to Katz
personal identity and through this concept of the theory, the women targeted will try to replicate
the star in the feature image.
What is the USP of this magazine?
Through thorough analysis and research into the media products, I believe the USP of this
magazine is the ‘300th issue’ which is positioned boldly on the cover and promotes its
celebration for a big number of successful issues being sold, this figure helps to promote the
magazine itself. Its also not available on any other Q magazine and this makes it particularly
unique. This helps to promote the magazine as it draws in the audience attention from the bold
color that stands out from the red and white colour scheme.
Week 2

26. Magazine for my Research
Masthead
Promotion ‘Win VIP’
this is instantly
intriguing to the
readers as it is also
presented In bold
colours and fonts.
Advertising posters is
also another way to
draw attention from
readers as it is in the
magazine.
Feature headline
Bold feature image of
the boy group. Their
black clothing goes well
with the colour scheme
of the front cover and
dark colours suits the
groups type of music,
which is rock.
Slogan
Bar code
USP
Week 2

27. Target Audience – Katz, Maslow, Hartley and/or socio-economic needs
After careful analysis and research of the target audience for Kerrang! magazine, can be denoted as
readers who are interested in rock music and those who would like to be informed and entertained
(Katz) for gaining insight into social empathy on the recent news and gossip about new groups and
popular bands and gaining a poster which is provided from inside the magazine. This also links with the
socio-economic needs for example because it is targeted for a young audience they have a need to
identify themselves with others, escaping from the real world and being diverted and also for emotional
release. The intended readership can also connote their interest and care for the feature stars of the
magazine, this links to Maslow as they are gaining and reaching their level of need by reading an insight
into their lives.
What is the USP of this magazine?
From the research completed into this media product, I believe the USP is the ‘WIN
VIP tickets to Reading and Leeds’ . This is very appealing to the audience and will
persuade the viewers to buy the magazine to continue reading and perhaps to enter
the competition. It also seems like a very popular event that is taking place and the
tickets to Reading and Leeds portrays itself as being targeted at a much younger target
audience.
Week 2

28. Magazine 1) – Publisher research
http://magazines.bauermediaadvertising.com/magazines/detail/Q
http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/brands/q
Q was launched in 1986 and it has painstakingly built an international
reputation for quality amongst the fans, stars and the music industry. With
world-beating exclusives, definitive album reviews, outstanding production
values and an inimitable sense of humour, Q shapes music in the UK and
beyond.
Every month the magazine creates new starts and identifies what's coming
next.
Q is online and all events are messaged and live everywhere so all readers
are up to date with everything.
“Q is all about quality and character”
“Q is about authority and opinion”
“Q is trusted and influential”
Q’s target audience is younger and more
affluent people than any other monthly
music magazine. 97% of readers rate Q as a
good quality magazine. It measures such as
best interviews, writing and award winning
photography.
Week 2

29. Magazine 2) – Publisher research
Kerrang! Claims that they will ensure
that they are constantly appealing to a
younger teenage target audience who
are more encouraged by the rock music
genre. All issues provide a variety of
articles to read about various bands
and scenes that the readers are
intrigued by. As young rock bands are
very appealing to a young teenage
audience.
An aspect that is particularly focused on
is the ‘BIGGEST things’ that are going on
in our world each week.
They portray themselves as ‘educators’
of rock music to the young target
audience.
Kerrang! Is a weekly music magazine that is
issued compared to other magazines which
are monthly. Kerrang! Is a weekly issue due to
the reasons that they want to keep the
audience updated on the latest band and
other rock music news.
Kerrang! Brings the best in rock online, on
radio, on TV and in print which creates a
bigger promotion of the company, .
Week 2

30. Conventions of a Music Magazine
Masthead
USP (Unique
Selling point)
Main image
Main Cover line
Cover lines
Barcode
Model credit
‘new music.
new body’
What Is not
included:
• An element that
is not included Is
a promotion
which would
persuade the
readers further
to buy an issue
of this magazine.
• Social
networking site
links not
included which
does not
promote VIBE
magazine on
other sites for
the target
audience.
Example magazine features for a possible sub-genre Week 3

31. I believe that the target audience for VIBE music magazine is young urban followers of
hip-hop and pop music genre. This is heavily influenced by the language that is used on
the front cover such as the cover lines, it is very open, welcoming and inviting. Which is
all considered colloquial in the respect of Register. Because of the young target audience
the magazine is aimed at, I feel they are categorized as ‘Diversion’ (Katz) as the audience
can ‘escape’ from their reality and immerse themselves into the text of the magazine,
which is very similar to the Kerrang! Magazine. This relates to Katz uses and gratifications
of entertainment.
Through thorough analysis, the Unique Selling Point is depicted as ‘31 ways to ball in
Miami’. This acts like a guide which influences the readers to buy this magazine. This
encourages more people to buy the issue and read further to find out more about the
USP that is provided on the front cover as this can also be considered an exclusive inside
the magazine. Other unique selling points (USP) are the cover lines on the front page,
this further interests readers. The language used also encourages the male gender, as
there is a female as the Main image and the cover lines include ‘Don’t you wish your
girlfriend was hot like me?’ Which encourages the male gender audience as well as
females. This relates to (Hartley) Gender, because it appeals to the young male gender as
she appears seductive in the clothing she is wearing.
Week 3

32. Magazine names
• KL4SH
• My survey web link -
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HJRV5X7
• Slideshare embed quote – survey monkey
• <iframe src="http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/27598041" width="476"
height="400" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
• Slideshare embed quote – music magazine
• <iframe
src="http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/27599571
" width="476" height="400" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0"
marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
Week 3

33. Magazine names
Week 3

34. Magazine names
Week 3