Magazine Analysis

Magazine Analysis

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Inspiration

Covers

* = This denotes the fact that this particular magazine is not of the same genre as mine, I have picked them because I feel some of the conventions highlighted are non-genre-specific.

Pallet: Black, Red, Yellow, White. The overall colour of this cover is black, which would typically reflect the level of light in the venue where this artist would perform. There are then yellow and white pieces of text placed over the backdrop. The yellow and white are accentuated via the contras, which brings out the text and makes in eye catching.

The photo is taken in a studio, this gives the most control when editing, it also proves that the artist is big enough to be able to take part in a studio shoot. He also looks quite serious which reflects how he feels about his music, which is also his profession.

The fact that the name of the artist is in the foreground suggests the anonymity behind this genre of music, and that rather than being there for his music, he is there for his ability to blend other peoples music.

Lots of cover lines to suggest its packed with content, which helps appeal to a broader demographic. Placed around the outside to be efficient with the layout.

Offering freebees helps spread the influence of the magazine. It also places the magazine onto a multimedia platform. Many magazines offer things like free CDs and want you to visit the website.

Even smaller features of this issue are listed here, much like the cover lines it helps interest as many people as possible so as to increase the size of the target market. “Plus” is made bold to attract attention.

The language is concise, which reflects the style of music this magazine is trying to sell. Few words are spoken when this kind of music is playing because of the typical volume its played at in clubs. It also pushes the feeling that this is a no-nonsense genre that is all about the music rather than trying to explain it.

The mast head for the magazine is not centered, and is clear and easy to identify, this helps people spotting it on a shelf. The recognizable logo catches the eye, and then the text is inside the logo to push the clarity even further.

“172 tunes reviewed” Is another selling point for the magazine, showing that you get a lot of content for your money, it is placed on its own in the corner to separate the feature and make it look like an article in its self

The colours are rainbow-like and white. The pallet is mainly bright colours with a broad spectrum. This reflects the stereotypical colours of the electronic dance community. The colours in the backdrop are reminiscent of an old TV, especially with the red, green and blue partially covering the splash image. The white for the masthead contrasts with avicci’s hair which helps it stand out.

The fact that “Martin Solveig” is on the front cover suggests this magazine is likely to have a cult following, with only frequent readers of the magazine or people with knowledge of the community knowing who he is. People who want to know who he is are in some ways welcomed to pick up the magazine because they are almost being told to ‘Say hello to’ him.

A straight to the point description of what the magazine contains. This is helpful to the casual passer-by or maybe someone looking for this kind of magazine. It also shows that the magazine has a serious, informative side which you will get your moneys worth from.

Other featured articles on the front cover, mostly showcasing other bigger artists so as to interest more people

A smaller article, or a smaller artist featured in this magazine is below BINGO PLAYERS. This might be an effort to publicize smaller artists.

The page layout has 3 main features to it: The masthead, the splash image, and the main cover line. This routinely draws the eyes down the page to give the reader, however temporary, an idea of the contents of this issue.

Big main cover line gives immediate information about the contents of the issue.

This issue is free, this gives the magazine a chance to widen its distribution as more people will pick one up and hold onto one, maybe even give it a read and become a regular reader and buy the next issue.

Other articles wrapped around the splash image have been boxed out so they stand out against the colours at the back, but still keep within the pallet. Various fonts have been used to help differentiate the articles. Different colours have been used as well.

All the artist going down the left side of the cover are expected to be read one after each other, and while it takes up a large portion of the cover, it drives home how full the magazine is with big artists . This gives the magazine the image that it is in tune with the high-tier performers and artists, and that is a selling point.

The splash image covers a portion the masthead. This gives the impression that the words “elektro” are there on stage and are part of the performance. This can in some ways seem to heighten their presence in this particular music scene and therefor help the magazine’s reputation.

Splash image seems to be taken while the artist is on stage, he is also smiling. This creates the impression that this music is fun. The photo its self appearing to be taken on stage shows that the magazine is as close to the music as you can get, therefor providing the clearest view on this music scene.

The main article claims to know “The ’Real’ Definition of a Rock Star”. This holds back the information encouraging the public to have to buy the issue to find the answer. It also helps the magazine look like it has a more accurate view on performing artists.

This “exclusive interview” reflects how the magazine is also trying to be exclusive. This passes the magazine as unique, reporting on the most crucial, yet rare content for their articles.

The banner above the masthead is there to sum up the genre of the magazine. It provides people who are browsing a shelf with an easy way to spot that genre of magazine. Also if the magazine is behind another one this banner could still be seen which heightens the chance of someone picking it up.

The main colours used on the cover are orange, yellow, white, black, and different shades of blue from the splash. The colours blue and orange contrast fairly well which makes the cover appear easy on the eyes. The yellow highlights a key element of the magazine “premier issue”, to highlight it as a main feature. The black and white also contrast well and helps define the text from the image. There is very little capitalisation and this is a style

chosen throughout the cover. This is perhaps done to ease how the magazine comes at you, in a way taking the edge off.

Contents Page

The list of “features” have alternating colours to help distinguish the different stories. Each story also has a title which briefly describes the contents of each article, but no page numbers are present. Possibly so that the reader reads through all the articles or flicks through to find the one they want and therefor take in more content.

Some pages only have a picture as a preview, this plays on the readers curiosity, so they can find out what the article is about. The images also spans the various people who will potentially read this.

The image for page 104 has women showing their cleavage. This plays on the male gaze and pulls in a certain kind of reader.

For those who enjoy tech there is a picture relating to a tech article, probably a review. So that’s there for techy people.

The image for page 033 is a shot from a live gig, probably a review of the event, this covers another element of the music industry and maybe those who couldn’t make it that night want a recap of what went down.

These images probably link to articles reviewing the music its self. Whether it be an album or a new single, these will be for people who are reading for the music, rather than the scene.

The page numbers are laid out as 3 figure numbers for any page, for example page 33 is instead referred to 033. This is reminiscent of diode displaying numerical values in a techy interface, like this.

This pushes the electronic theme.

Other colours in the pallet include pink, blue, a dark yellow and a greyer blue. White is the dominant colour. I think in this case these colours are there to add a variety and improve the general appearance.

In terms of composition all the photos, with the exception of one are down the right side of the page. All the main features of this page are organized into columns, this helps guide the readers sight down the page, but also allows the reader to start anywhere on the page.

This photo might be here because it is the only one out of the set which is very casual, no filters or special lighting. Having it at this side gives contrast without making the page look dissonant.

Main article is show by giving it the largest image on the page and giving it a larger page number.

Backdrop colour is black, this helps bring out various colours and reflects the atmosphere of the music and the scene

The pallet is only small, with 3 main colours: Black, white and a yellowish green. The pallet has been made more concise by matching some of the text colour with one of the main colours from the main image on the page.

Certain articles are made to standout either with a large image or an underlined subtitle, “VIP”. The initials ‘VIP’ also push a sense of exclusivity.

This article has also been given an image, and a slightly larger page number. The image itself probably doesn’t need to be big because it catches the eye enough.

This picture shows some girls smiling and having fun. This is useful for the magazine because it gives the impression that this music is the most fun to dance to. It also makes it appear that girls like this music, and in some ways that can attract hopeful male readers.

The articles in this issue are displayed down the right, and information and tracklist for the free CD are across the bottom. The two are separated by a line. This will help distinguish each feature of the page

Giving a free CD turns the magazine into a multi-media platform, and maybe even gain a reputation as a magazine which gives away good music, which is a selling point.

Web address gives readers more chances to gain information from this particular outlet.

There are various different fonts used on this page, this makes the magazine look like varied and full of different things.

Lead article for this issue takes up a large part of the page.

Very few articles are featured in the contents page. This may be to encourage readers to discover things themselves.

Although Muse have the larger image, the beatles get a larger font size and an image. This will cover readers at the more vintage end of the demographic.

Showing the issue number at the top like this is almost like the magazine advertising its success, saying they must be good because they have made it this far.

Image made to look like a physical photograph, this adds a particular style.

Magazine includes a small passage briefly describing the contents of each feature. This will help the reader better navigate the issue.

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Double Page Spreads

Large, bold title taking up very little of the overall page space but still standing out enough due to it’s positioning.

Splash image takes up whole page with the model in the centre. The filter put onto the photo defines light and dark colours more clearly giving the photo a professional finish and at the same time works with the white/grey colour pallet of the pages.

Text is placed over a white masking to help the black text stand out better against an otherwise grey backdrop with little black dots which could potentially hide some letters.

Text over here is a different typeface to the text on the other page, this may have been done to separate the different sub-features of the article, and to add a sense of variety.

The drop cap first letter of this section draws the eyes towards it and helps guide the reader through the article in the right order.

Face of the model has been offset so it is not split by the crease in the middle.

Double page has a large white border around all of it. In some ways this focusses attention on the article its self, but is most likely for aesthetic reasons.

Brief introduction of the artist brings first time readers up to speed so they can better experience the article. At this point it also gives readers a choice as to whether or not they want to keep reading

Photo goes over the white border. This makes the artist stand out more.

Use of multi-layering text to increase awareness as to what the article is about.

The colour has been kept within the pallet. Red, Black, White. This reflects the colour scheme of the magazine and helps with cohesion between articles

The article belongs to a series ‘The Most Exciting People In Music’. Having this chronology will encourage readers to buy later issues.

Small logo of the magazine, labels it so it can be traced back should this article be shown outside the magazine. It also further brands the magazine which generally adds further substance.

Having the splash image take up a whole page creates an aesthetically pleasant result. Also the large image will mean people are more likely to spot it as they flick through.

Minor promotion of another institution helps add integrity and proves the magazine as a well connected outlet within the industry.

Quote from the interview to entice surface readers or people who were initially pulled in by the photo.

Drop caps used to highlight the start of a different passage within the interview.

Close up shot used so the reader feels physically closer to the artist. Almost as if you’re staring him in the face.

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Photo taken in the pub reflects the casual nature of Pete.

Headline of the article plays on how Pete is in and out of drugs and genuine fans will respond to a large title telling the reader he is “In Good Health”. This will pull people into the article.

Tag line is placed respectively to the image. It briefly gives some news about the band and explains why the photo looks like it’s in a pub “NME tracked them down in West London. This gives the magazine an intrepid appeal and shows that it is willing to go the extra mile for its readers.

The colour scheme has been made to match the beer Pete is holding and his jumper, in this sense it really helps the tying of the photo and the article.

Smaller photo of them shows the band in action and eases the association between the music and the article.

Layout of the text has it wrapped around the leading quote from the article. Additionally, a bold typeface has been used to emphasise certain words in the quote. This gives it a more colloquial feel which is key when communicating with a particular kind of reader.

Huge drop cap has been used to catch the eye.

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