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ANALYZING EXISTING PRODUCTS By Gabrielle Nkansa-Yeboah
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ANALYZING EXISTING

PRODUCTS

By Gabrielle Nkansa-Yeboah

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Front Cover AnalysisColourThe main colours that are used in this magazine, are red, black and white. These colours stand out and also associate with the theme of heavy metal rock as they are dark and bold. Having a white background used in the magazine makes the artist used stand as both the artist and guitar are the main attracter for the magazines and the magazines main selling point. Furthermore having the artist stand out supports the idea that the artist is iconic.

PhotographyThe image of slash, one of the most celebrated guitarist in the 21st century. The guitar is featured heavily in the pose as there is a close up of the object which reflects the magazine main USP. (The Gibson guitar is prominent in the shot) The dark clothes are also representations of the genre of music. This has also been supported by the credits used alongside the image which is the same font size as the master head, which could have been done to highlight the artists importants and attract the reader.

Writing style/fontThe font used in this magazine is bold and eye-catching particularly in the use of red which is the primary color. This bold text are used in the magazine name and also the artist, which is used to draw the readers attention. Furthermore the editor has also used particular words to draw the readers attention for example the word “exclusive” which has been placed in a box out shows that is only this magazine who has been able to gain an interview with the artist slash which sets them aside from other magazines in their genre.

Overall lookThe significance of the mise en scene in this media product is the artist and the guitar which has been purposely created and laid out in order to attract the target audience. Overall magazine has achieved its goal and has a clear Z line following the dimension in which the audience looks at the magazine. Furthermore the editor has purposely placed elements in which they would like the audience to take into consideration for example the master head, the publisher and other additional information, that would be featured in the magazine.

Text/picture ratioThe text and image used in this magazines is quite proportionate as the main image used of slash is extremely large and is the first thing that catches the audience’s eye and is the main feature. The editor may have done this purposely to show how iconic the artist used is in the fact that the image itself will attract customers rather than the texts used. The anchorage and the guitar works together and attracts more attention

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InstitutionThe institution that published this magazine is “future”. The influences that it has on the product, is that the magazine now belongs to them and they have picked the model specifically to reach a target audience. Furthermore it’s a well established publisher that is known for publishing popular magazines, such as “guitarist” therefore the institution provides the magazine with a huge selling point for the magazine’s target audience. The institution also shows that it understands the rock market by using a well known popular artist, “Slash”. The guitar is also very iconic and is used by many artist varying from slash to jimmy page and the institution lashes onto that because they know its cool and a huge selling point. Therefore the value behind having a famous well known artist holding an iconic guitar will have a big influence on the amount of profit made by the magazines as the front cover itself attracts the magazines target audience.

RepresentationThe way the artist has been represented in this magazines reinforces the stereotypical image of a rock artist. The denotation of the artist all dressed in black connotes a cool and laid back image, which is again emphasized by the particular props used for example the hat and sun glasses. This all helps to create a particular image which represents rock in a modernised fashion. Furthermore the non-verbal structures identified on the front cover such as the artist body framing structure and facial expression connotes a idea of importance and a social value which shows that because of his position and importance in the rock community he doesn’t have to face the audience as his image alone already promotes the magazine. Furthermore the fact that he is not looking directly at the audience and is slouched in a position which communicates a level of attitude. The main significance of the mise en scene is the guitar featured on the magazine which is almost being represented as more important than the artist.

Target audienceThe magazines target audience may be teenagers, particular teenage boys who have an interest in slash, this is identified through the type of language used which represent the artist as being an iconic star. The colours and font used also help support this idea because it may appeal more to boys then girls as well as the layout of the texts. Furthermore the magazine could be aimed at people who also have a particular shared knowledge in rock history as the guitar used has been featured as iconic for a particular reason in which people outside the intended audience wouldn’t know.

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ColourThe main colors used in this magazine are red white and black. Which are the main conventional colours used in rock magazine. The colours are extremely bold which allow the magazine to be eye-catching and engaging for the reader. Furthermore the editor has also placed particular choice of colours to show a contrast and stand out for example the name of the band “ bring me the horizon” has been written in white and northern uproar has been written in red to grabs the readers attention as well link in with the description used.

PhotographyThe image of this band has been placed into different layers within the group, this may done to show positioning in the group and to highlight the group leader which could be the guy in the front. The artists are also dressed in a suit which could be done to represent the sophisticated side of the magazine.

Writing/ fontThe font in this magazine is big and bold to catch the readers attention. The text is also written in capitals to make it stand out an also to highlight an alarming statement. Furthermore the caption used beneath the image of the artist name is also written in capitals to explain who the artist is.

Overall lookThe overall look is quite simple yet eye catching, the use of a young band shows that its target audience is teenagers who are interested in rock.

Text/ picture ratioThere are more images then text which helps appeal more to young people. The main pictures are on the band and of other artist which may be featured in the magazine, the number of pictures used may be done to help attract the customers more and encourage them to read inside the magazine rather then find out information on the front cover which many magazine covers seem to have.

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InstitutionsThe institution that publishes this particular magazine is Bauer Media Group, the influences that it has on the magazine has power over the layout of the magazine as well as the things featured inside as well as the overall look. Furthermore the way the band “bring me the horizon” has been featured is in response to the way the institution wants them to look for example they have been laid out into different layers and sections where the band leader has been predominately featured as the main artist. The institution has also shown that it understands its market by having the type of artist featured reflect the main magazine design, for example the target audience is teenagers in which the institution has identified through the design which is hard-hitting, edgy and eye catching.

RepresentationThe way the band has been represented in this magazine shows them as being a fresh and cool band, as well as still reinforces the stereotypical image of a rock band through their appearance, such as the type of hairstyle used and facial expression, which are also hard and edgy to represent the magazine cover. However their clothes does challenge conventions as they have been placed in suit which connotes the band as being classy and professional, which is a contrast in the way other band groups are represented who are usually dressed in casual wear. On the other hand elements such as the tattoo being displayed to the audience again reinforces the stereotypical image of rock artist. The way they have particularly represented rock bands is by showing a level of importance in terms of the band leader having the main recognition .

Target audienceThe target audience, for this magazine is teenage boys between the age of 16 and 18, who take an interest in the band “bring me the horizon” and rock in general which is addressed through the colours and the layout of the magazine used. Furthermore the font used is very edgy and hard hitting which will appeal to a more male audience rather than a female one, which as a result reflects the characteristics of the audience.

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Just as the previous front cover I analyzed there is a media close up of the model. The direct gaze of the model combined with her posture, which is in your face and quite direct. This portrays her confidence and attitude through the image, furthermore her cleavage on show and anchored with the word cool and sexy implies then when you look like that you will be cool and sexy. The colors used also associate with the message which is addressed to the reader as pink is associated with a girly and feminine theme.

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Again this front cover image is also very strong in portraying a dramatic and sexy image. The close up of her face is also very powerful as just as the previous front cover there is a direct gaze at the audience which portrays a confident look to it. The red colour lipstick, also supports the sexiness of the image as it adds a promiscuous look to it, and can also reveal a sense of danger which is also supported by the look in her eyes.

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This image portrays a different message compared to the other front cover I analyzed as it doesn’t have a direct gaze at the audience so it has an indirect address which may suggest that he is too cool to look in the audiences direction also the image also challenges conventions as men don’t really have hair like that which may suggest a slight feminine side to it with an edge, but still produces a hard and tough look to it. The lighting on the hair also has a direct address to the audience as one is almost drawn to it automatically then the the models face.

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Double Page Spread AnalysisColor- The colors used in this double page spread are black red and white, which provide a dark and gloomy appeal to it as well as help represent the theme well. The dark background really contrasts well with the red and white writing, which make it stand out more and clearer to read.

PhotographyThe image is of the artist on stage performing, there are also a range of other images near the bottom of the artist. All the selected pictures portray the artist as being hard working which support the artist quote that he wants to be the best. As the images provide conations of a hardworking, determined man. The black and white image also adds an effect as well as a contrast between the coloured back\ground.

Writing/fontThe font used for the quote is large and bold which is done to strand out and highlight an important quote made by the artists which support the images. The type face used in the large quote is quite stylish and attractive and does come across as being quite rock. However the type face does change in the subheading, to a less eye catching font however is still bold and written in capitals to get the readers attention.

Overall lookThe overall look of the double page spread is extremely eye catchign and the positioning of each piece has been thought out carefully. The range of images used really help grab the readers attention as well as the use of big fonts.

Text/picture ratioThere are more images used in this piece, which support the texts added which gives the reader an insight about what the articles main purpose is about.

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Two Page SpreadPhotographyThe image used in this double page spread is extremely eye catching and draws the reader in, the black and white image really helps capture the softness on her face which makes the image more effective and captures the readers attention as one is almost drawn to the artists face, her position show conations that she is very relaxed, however the gun that she’s holding shows that she may be bad, dangerous and mischievous, which supports quote written next to it.

ColourThe colours' used are mainly black, white and red, these choice of colours all help to produce a evil look to the magazine particularly through the red writing, which has conations with danger.

Writing/fontThe font used for the quote written at the top is extremely large and bold and also looks quite child like which tells me that the target audience is at teenagers. The type face used in the questionnaire is also quite simple which kind of supports the laid back feel to the magazine.

Overall lookThe overall look is plain and simple and easy to take in as there isn’t too much going on for the reader to get distracted, and the layout is goo

Text/picture ratioThere is more writing then images on here however the image is quite large and takes up half the page, so in way provides an equal amount of both.

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Compared to the other double page spread analyzed this one has a softer look to it in terms of the image used and the colors used. This may have been done to reflect the artist personality or even draw the reader in. The medium close up image on the right attracts the audience its bright and your directly drawn to her eyes. Her posture is also quite sexual as most as its am stands out because of the bold texts and large picture which catches the eye.

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Just like the previous double page spread there is a large medium close up on the left side of the page, however even though there is a direct gaze at the audience, the denotation of this image is of a women dressed in a white shirt and black tie who is smartly dressed, and connatates that its appealing to someone who is classy. Her facial expression which is her looking up at the reader but still maintaining a direct gaze connatates coolness and attitude towards the reader, also the quote which is placed underneath her neck supports her image . There is also natural z line to this page which draws the reader in the right direction. The type face is very feminine which helps to identify the target audience.

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This double page spread compared to the others analyzed is very simple, yet effective. The big L in the center of the texts dominates the page to maybe show how dominate lady gaga is as a person. It almost helps to reverse the natural Z line you look at because lady gaga changes convention in the way she dresses and her image as a whole. The black and white image is also effective as she looks cold, and the color of her hair is white which helps bring out the picture more. There is also a direct gaze at the audience which in effect draws the reader in and makes them focus on her rather than the texts.

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Contents Page Analysis

PhotographyThe image used on the contents page is extremely eye-catching, the denotations are on this image is that he has a screw face and tattoos on his neck and the conations are that he is extremely cool and laid back. His dark clothing and the funky large glasses along with the black eyeliner show that he is very rock. The image also makes the magazine more interesting and one is interested to know who the artist is due to his facial expression which draws the reader in.ColourThe colours used are mainly brown blue and blue these three colours contrast well and even though they may not connate with rock it provides a bright look as a result contrast with the associated colours used in rock such as red and black. Writing/fontThe font used in the heading is bold, to catch the readers eye but is also Fairley simple. The font is kept the same throughout the texts and is written in a larger form to address headings. The writing is also simple and consist of short sentences, which may be done not to bore the reader.Overall lookThe look of the content page is extremely good I like how everything is placed and how it is simple yet effective. This is how I would like my contents page to look like as the positioning is good and its easy for the reader to read.Text/ picture ratioThe text and the image used complement each other nicely as the image is fairly large which doesn’t take up too much of the writing and the amount or writing used is not too much for the reader to take in. However the image does give a main overview about what the magazine may be about

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Contents Page Analysis

PhotographyFrom looking at the image used in the magazine I can tell that it may have been taken in the 90’s due to the grey background. The positioning of the group members show that they are cool and relaxed, the expressions on each members face also help to depict there personality, for example the one with the hat seems to be the coolest of the group as his positioning is extremely laid back.ColourThe colours used are very dull and isn’t very eye-catching, however the snippets of red used in various places does help to bring a brightness to the page and help certain things stand out for example the title.Writing/fontThe type face is very classy as there are use of serifs which may have been done to highlight the magazines target audience which could be at older people rather than teenagers. The fact that it is also written in italics, show the maturity of the piece and also that it is not a modernised versionOverall lookOverall I think the positioning and layouts are good as its easily to read however I think it’s a bit too dull and wouldn’t be as eye-catching on the shelf.Text/picture ratioThe image does seem to take up more of the page which highlights the fact that the magazine is purposely about them as a group. The text on the other hand is brief and short and doesn’t give too much away about the magazine.

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There isn’t a particular natural z line to this image, however one is automatically drawn to the artist rather than the text and it has a sexual appeal to the image, which is depicted through the way her legs are in the air crossed over in a sexual manner, which has been done to attract a particular audience. The artist Ciara also has a direct gaze at the audience, which draws the reader in and involves them.

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This content page compared to the others is quite simple, however the facial expression of the artist is mysterious. The anchorage of the image is that he is a rich man because he’s dressed in a smart suit, however he looks quite angry as he has no expression on his face which reflects his personality and makes him look suspicious. His expression on his face is also portrayed on the dull colored background used and the fact that the only color is the heart on his chest, this may imply that the magazine may have an emotional attachment to the reader.

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This page is quite interesting as it really helps to put across an urban theme due to the wear the artist have been dressed also the black and white background helps to add the hip hop culture to it. The color choice is very effective also the magazine front cover in the corner pops out as it adds color to the piece. The type face used also addresses that its not gender differentiated, the font where it says “contents” is bold and stands out to the audience which is like the previous contents page analyzed.