Tuesday, September 11, 2012

3.2 Tools




Library Research
Firstly, information on the graphics of fanzine and its cultural background was gathered from library research. This involved data gathering from books about fanzine culture and other sources such as magazines and the internet. Suggestions to how music magazines design can be enriched by using fanzine graphics were listed out.
Open-ended Interview
Open-ended interviews were carried out with two persons. Firstly, the researcher interviewed Mohd Rom Mohd Nor, the manager cum editor of ROTTW magazine to know about the current state of local music magazine industry and its downfall. The researcher also asked his opinion on how to cut the cost of production, and methods for printed music magazines to be prolonged.  
The second interview was carried out with Mallory Gevaert, the writer of ‘Zine Thing’ column from Alarm Press Magazine to find out her take on incorporating fanzine graphics into music magazine as a design approach.
Closed-ended Questionnaire
Secondly the readers’ preferences for music magazines with fanzine graphics will be gathered directly from field research. A set of questionnaires will be distributed to music event goers around Klang Valley. They will be the respondents for this study using random sampling method.
According to Yale University Department of Statistics website, random sampling method is the sampling technique where the researcher selects a group of subjects (sample) for study from a larger group or population. The individuals are chosen entirely by chance and each member of the population has an equal chance of being included in the sample. Every possible sample of a given size has the same chance of selection.
The first event the researcher attended was ‘Ultra Sardin’ vol. 2 gig series in Seksyen 7, Shah Alam on 28th January 2011. It was an independent bands music showcase. The questionnaire was distributed to some of the kids during the show as well as after the show. 19 people answered the questionnaires.
The next day, the researcher went to a music showcase at Pekan Baru Ampang, Selangor called ‘Justice For Sisters’ on 29th January 2011. It was held at a community space known as Gudang Noisy (now the name is changed to Rumah Api). At this event, 12 respondents answered the questionnaire set.
 27 more questionnaires were answered by the concert goers at Pekan Frinjan in Shah Alam Square on 5th March 2011. Pekan Frinjan is a music, art and book event that is held monthly by Oxygen Media. With these three events, the researcher managed to gather a total of 58 questionnaire feedbacks.
The questionnaire in a form of visual questionnaire containing 10 closed ended questions. The questionnaire contains the various styles or methods of fanzine graphics that are used. The looks were illustrated and presented in the visual questionnaire. It is a simple 10 questions papers stapled together. The visual questionnaire can be found in appendix A of this report.
The respondents have to tick in the box of the options for the graphic styles that they prefer. They are given space to fill up their own suggestions to the questions about sizes and formats. At the end of the questionnaire, the respondents are given a space for them to express their thoughts on other suggestions for music magazine design.
The structure is important in order to gain the information for the research. It has to be easily accessible and answered on the spot to get as many respondents as possible.

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