Masthead Design- Initial Ideas

Brand Identity

1.   Vine – abbreviation of vinyl represents nature and freedom, closeness with music. The name is also unique and so represents the distinctive style of the target audience. However an alternative connotation of ‘Vine’ is that is symbolises wine. Despite this, I think it could still work because my target audience is 15-30 year old women, the older of whom are stereotypically wine drinkers. Furthermore this reflects the classy, elegant style.

2.   Pure – slight irony in that the magazine is quite rebellious and honest, however it also symbolises the honest style of the magazine and reflects the target audience’s love to feel unique and inspirational.

3.    Choice – this represents the freedom and authenticity of the magazine.

4.    3 – This is short and dramatic. It could represent a triangle, a shape which is strongly associated with the ‘indie’ style.

5.    Mode – This symbolises a strong sense of style, and with my very fashion focused magazine, it does give the reader an idea about the style.

6.    Kick – ‘Kick’ has a somewhat violent connotation and therefore appeals to rebellious readers. Additionally it suggests energy and youth. Furthermore it reflects adrenaline; as in when people get a ‘kick’ out of doing something. This also represents danger and excitement.

7.    Alt – An abbreviation of ‘alternative’. ‘Alt’ clearly portrays the genre of the magazine.

8.    Key – this represents the keys of a musical instrument, but alternatively could be a key to a lock, implying that there is something to open. This suggests to the reader that the magazine is unlocking the secrets of the music industry. Furthermore, key implies necessity, and could infer that the magazine is vital to indie rock music fans.

9.   Raw- this represents the truthfulness of the magazine and the bare, stripped back style. Additionally it has quite a meaty connotation, reflecting the animal inside the reader; who they are deep inside and giving a slightly amoral feel. This uncut vibe seems quite daring, and therefore appeals to the reader, who strives to be individual. Furthermore it makes the reader think of the word “Roar”.

10. Roar - a very loud sound representing power and danger. This indicates the rock style.

Contents Page Artists

Cover Page Appearance

Feature Article Location

Artist Appearance and Feature Article Look

Artist Biography

Delilah Rose was born Brooke Kennedy in June 1994, in Kinghorn, a small town in Fife, Scotland. From a young age she loved music, finding inspiration from her parents’ collection of Cher, Dido and the Beatles but found her true passion listening to Bikini Kill, Arcade Fire and Kate Nash. When she was five she began to learn piano, and had mastered it by the age of ten. After being taught guitar at primary school, Kennedy taught herself how to play her mother’s harp. From the age of six Kennedy performed to her family when they came to dinner every Sunday. After two years Brooke began to perform self-written songs to her oblivious audience, who were used to her different music taste and supposed they were covers.

When she was sixteen, Kennedy started her first job as a waitress in the local pub. After a band pulled out of a small gig while she was working, a nervous Brooke performed to a large audience for the first time, and became a very popular regular over the next year. Despite her amazing tone, a new boss was not thrilled with her indie rock style which attracted a very niche audience, and asked her to perform more mainstream music. Brooke refused and lost her job.

When she was seventeen Kennedy started gigging under the stage name Delilah, but soon changed it to Delilah Rose after confusion with the pop artist of the same name. Delilah was the name of her grandmother who passed away when she was nine, and Rose was her childhood imaginary friend. Even though she thoroughly enjoyed performing, Kennedy was predominantly singing to earn money for university. Weeks before she was due to start studying History of Art in Glasgow, Kennedy was discovered by a talent scout while busking on the beach. After never considering a professional career in music, Kennedy struggled with the decision, but ultimately realised that she would love to be a singer.

She is being interviewed by the magazine in order to promote her music as a new artist and gain a larger fan base.

Relatable Brands

Readership Profile

My music magazine will be targeted at predominantly female indie music fans, aged between fifteen and twenty-eight. They are creative and unique with an eye for fashion. Most are in C1 professions.

Character Profile

India is in her first year studying fashion at university. She prides herself on her individual look and spends most of her student loan on clothes and music. She is a huge fan of indie rock, and loves bands that are unknown because it makes her feel different and special. When India isn’t shopping or at the vinyl store where she works, she enjoys going to very small, intimate gigs with her friends. She hates the idea of ‘pop’ and the monotonous way that most people her age conform to society. She believes that everyone should have their own style and express themselves. This is why she loves artists for their music, personality and style and dislikes the untalented pop stars that are primarily famous for their ordinarily good looks. Although she doesn’t get paid very much India gets a discount on vinyl records, which she finds have a much better sound than her iPod. Her job introduces her to artists new and old, and so she has a very wide range of musical knowledge. Apart from music and shopping, in her spare time India loves reading, gardening and playing her harp.

Music Magazine Initial Ideas

Music Magazine Research

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Q Front Cover Analysis November 2013

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