AS MEDIA analysis and comparison of Front Page, Contents Page and Double Page Spread of two magazines. NME and TOPT.

1. Music Magazine Analysis
NME and Top Of The Pops

2. Target Audience
17 to 30 years of age, the readers are well educated with 78% of
their readers in work or education. I would say that people that
read this magazine are highly dedicated to music and are more
than likely to spend a sum of their disposable income on gigs and
concerts which may have been influenced by the magazine, I
believe this due to the depth of the content and information of
music found in the issues after I read this magazine for research.
DATE AND PRICE
The date and price are usually found
next to each other in a small font next
to the masthead, they are not usually
largely noticed as the dedicated fans
are usually aware of the price of the
magazine.
MASTHEAD
NME, standing for New Music Experience
is the first thing people look to when
assessing a magazine and it should
always stand out on the page taking up
roughly 1/5 of the page. NME uses a very
bold font on its masthead which stands out
well, especially due to the colour scheme
of a red font on top of a generally black
and white background.
MAIN COVERLINE
The main coverline has many features
similar to the masthead, it uses the same
coloured font and style, This means it also
grabs a large amount of attention from the
viewer as it jumps out the page. In this issue
“NOEL” is in capital letters and larger than
the masthead, this means that NME wants
this to be the main selling point as it takes
up a majority of the page, it could also be
saying that Noel Gallagher is bigger than the
intstitution. The main coverline usually links
to the main image and quote.
COLOUR SCHEME
The colour scheme of
this magazine uses red,
black and white. This not
only works effectively
because the red font on
top of a black and white
background dominates
and controls the page
but it also reflects to the
type of rock and vintage
genre the NME
audience would be
attracted to. You could
also say that the black
and white theme brings
back the idea that old
music era’s are coming
back, such as Oasis.
CENTRAL IMAGE
The main image for this issue of NME is notoriously well known Oasis star Noel Gallagher, this
represents celebrity endorsement which is evident in every NME magazine. He has the
stereotypical stern “rock” look, not giving anything away as to might be contained in his interview.
His body is facing away from the camera with his head slightly turned towards the viewer which
then leads on to his eyes making direct contact, which represents the usual arrogant, naïve and
simple laid back look you would expect from an artist from his genre and Mr Gallagher in particular.
This also emphasises the rock genre that this magazine displays due to the recognition Noel
Gallagher brings. As the subject entices a direct gaze with the viewer, he also looks very superior
as if he is looking down on you.
PUFFS
Puffs in this issue
are used to full effect
in the sense that
they must relate to
the target audience.
And the use of ,big
alternative-rock
artists, “Arctic
Monkeys Sex Tape”
is short, snappy and
leaves a lot of the
story up to the
imagination of the
reader. Being such a
big name in the
music industry is
going to leave a
majority of people,
even if you aren’t a
dedicated a fan,
wondering and
having a certain urge
to buy the issue,
LAYOUT
NME has a common
identity when it comes to
look at the layout of the
magazine. You will
generally realise a
backward S form when it
comes to the eye flow. It
will start with your eyes
drawn to NME Masthead,
then the central, then
finally leading on to main
coverline.

3. Layout
The layout for the
contents page of NME
is a very sectioned
format, trying to keep
each article very
regimented from one
another. It keeps the
largest picture to
feature the main
article of the issue,
this being Matthew
Murphy’s encounter
with rock icon Pete
Doherty. This spot is
usually reserved for
well known iconic rock
celebrities such as
Keith Richards or
Liam Gallagher.
Language / Mode of Address
The language in the contents also emphasises and
enforces what target audience NME are aiming
towards, of older teens and young adults as it says
“You’re fucked, you need to go to bed”. This not only
uses indecent language but also incites the use of
alcohol or other substances which shows that there
is a relatively mature audience reading the articles. I
believe this also offers personality to the magazine
and shows that the magazine knows what their
dedicated buyers are used to and deemed
acceptable by.
Masthead
The masthead gives off a certain
Newspaper feel which deters from the
previous “Rock and Roll” contents page
used. It is very simple and never
changes from the “Inside this week”
which could make it easily recognizable
to its readers. It also makes it obvious
that it is a weekly magazine and not a
monthly one, this should allow new time
readers to know when the next issue is
due.
Colour
The colour scheme of the contents
page is a simple black and white set
up, par to the offer in the bottom right
corner where a burgundy square
takes place. This differs from the
mainly featured red which occurs in
the front cover. The new colour
scheme gives off a newspaper feel
which may deter some of their “hard
core” fans.
Listing
NME have a simple yet effective way
of listing the lesser stories to fill the
page, using one word to sum up the
story or article followed by the page
number. As it uses the word “plus” it
makes the reader feel as if they are
getting more for their money. This is
called a puff.
Articles
The more interesting
articles featured in the
magazine are given a
larger space concluding
with a summary
sentence or quote
followed by a picture. I
think this goes well as it
differentiates itself from
the stereotypical dull and
lifeless contents pages
you find in other
magazines

4. Colour Scheme
Conventions.
This double page spread
What you would expect from a
uses the expected black red
double page spread, half of the
and white which is mainly
double page being taken up by
featured in the NME
Florence (the feature) having
franchise. The colour
the image being dominant in
scheme also interacts with
comparison to the rest of the
the strength of the subjects
spread, then the other half
golden locks.
being the story of the feature.
Also having a summary
question before reaching the
main text enticing what the text
Main Image
will be about. The image featured in this article
is of main singer from Florence
and the Machines, Florence
Welch. The magazine uses her
florescent hair as part of the
colour scheme which I think links
well as you could say it relates to
the outlandish style and genre
the magazine attempts to reflect
in each issue. She looks very
empowering having a direct gaze
with the camera as if to
challenge the reader and
emphasises the strong
independent woman by being the
artist in a band full of men, this
means that the small proportion
of women that reads the
magazine can relate. The feature
also links with the text as she is
sitting on top of the American
flag, showing that she has taken
the USA by storm with her music
which is stated in the text.
Title
“USA got the love” – this title allows the
reader to know what the story is going to
be about straight away. As the readers are
dedicated to the rock and roll lifestyle they
will know that “got the love” will be a
reference to Florence and the machine
song – then as the target audience are
supposedly well educated they will make
the connection that Florence Welch has
taken the American charts over and
become a big hit in the states. “USA”
being in a larger font expresses the scale
of how large the industry is out there.
Layout
The layout is set in three
separate columns. It is
done this way so it seems
more “reader-friendly”
and that it doesn’t feel too
daunting for the reader.
Having it separated into
three columns allows the
reader to feel as if there is
not as much text involved
and encourages them to
read all of the article
instead of skim-reading it.
Enlarged
text
The enlarged text
is the first bit of
writing the reader
is attracted to, it
sums up what
the story is going
to be about and
usually draws the
reader in for
more using
tragedy or hot
news. “Why is
Florence Welch
lying on her floor
attacking herself”
This leads an
introduction for
the main article
and draws the
reader in.

5. Smaller Images
All the smaller images relate to pre-teen topics, stories and celebrities which
the target-audience will be interested in, such as heart throb Harry Styles. It
also suggests the genre given for the audience as it consists a lot of pop
stars from bands such as one direction and JLS. The fact that there is a lot
of imagery on the cover implies that it is aimed towards a younger
audience.
Masthead
Top of the Pops masthead is a clear inclination
as to what target audience the magazine is
aiming for, first of all the bright pink is a simple
connotation that it is aimed at a young female
audience this colour on a white background also
means that it can be noticed from afar by its
readers, as well as a swirly emphasis on the “S”
of “POPS” which could be saying that this is the
handwriting of a pre-teen. The masthead is also
in a very bubbly font which again leads to the
characteristics of its readers.
Coverlines
The coverlines are mainly pink red or black
which conforms to the house style of the
magazine. Along with the smaller images they
all stick to the rule of thirds par to the central
image, this makes an easy set-up for the
readers to view the page.
Main Image
The main image is of pop sensation Justin
Beiber, this shows ultimately what kind of brand
of music the magazine is based on and aimed
towards. The celebrity endorsement is very
effective as almost every pre-teen girl is in love
with the Canadian popstar, he uses his sweet
enticing eyes as a direct gaze with the viewer to
invite them in to the issue, also making it personal
to the reader. The main image is dead centre and
takes up roughly half of the page, meaning he is
going to be the main feature in the story which
the target audience will love to read about. Main Coverline
The main cover line of this issue links back
to the main image of Justin Beiber which is
evident due to the name and that it is the
stand out piece of text next to Beiber. It
says “Justin: “I was bullied!”” which
automatically will have girls feeling sorry
for the heartthrob.
House style
Pink is the main feature colour in the scheme for top of the pops
along with black, white and red. The font actually goes against
what you would expect the typical young female font of swirls and
is in actual fact quite sophisticated, I think this is because young
girls feel more mature than they show so they wouldn’t be
interested in the swirls and comic sans fonts anymore. The
masthead doesn’t differ from issue to issue and has a strong yet
bubbly font which would appeal to its audience.
Mode of address
The language is very informal and
colloquial, this is because the magazine
is aimed towards a young demographic
and if the text were too complicated the
viewers would simply lose interest. The
cover uses simple yet catchy language
such as “Hitched or Ditched” and “Fitties
seeking forgiveness” which again
interests the audience and further proves
that it is aimed at a young female
audience.
Price
The price for this magazine is
quite high at £3.99, this is
because it is the childs working
class parents who are paying for
it with their disposable income,
enforcing it is aimed at young pre-work
children.

6. Page Numbers
The page numbers are largely
featured on the contents page taking
up a fair amount of space, this
allows an easy setting for the young
audience to understand, with the
page numbers being related back to
the front page lets the reader to find
the story they found most interesting
on the cover to easily and effectively
find it within the magazine, it is also
in pink which not only stays true to
the magazines house style but it
also stands out on the white so
catches the readers gaze.
Subheading
the subheadings have a very “girly” font
with the twirls and hearts involved
reassuring the target audience with the “We
<3 Boys” of young females. They tend to
stay the same each week with the
placement, size, and actual features such
as “Celebs & Gossip” and “We <3
Shopping” which becomes part of the Top
of the Pops contents page conventions.
Mode of address
The mode of address for this magazine is
informal and quite cheesy which shows
that a younger audience is intended, the
text also talks about adult features such
as “finding Mr Right” this allows young
pre-teens to feel as if they are conversing
into adulthood by talking about mature
subjects.
House style
Again, another feature of the top of the
pops house style contains vibrant,
feminine colours which catch the eye
of the young audience, this also
creates a positive outlook on the whole
magazine which would usually rub off
on the reader. The pink is used
throughout the whole magazine and
creates a very noticeable identity for
the magazine
Layout
The layout for the contents page is very
conventional of any other contents page
and of the top of the pops magazine, using
the rule of thirds effectively along with a
column of three for the listings of the lesser
stories. Having the column of three allows
the reader to believe there is less writing as
it is spread out, which works well for the
target audience as they would be
disinterested with the large amount of
writing.
Imagery
There is a fair amount of imagery on the
contents page which isn’t an evident
convention of a set contents page,
however it spaces the text out well and
allows a more fun and quirky way for the
audience to interact with the magazine, it
also relates to things the audience will be
interested in, for example the handbag
representing fashion and accessories
whilst Aston from JLS represents a
“fangirl” appeal for the celebs and gossips
column, it also helps having page
numbers next to the front cover which has
been printed on the contents page as it
shows the main articles simply and the
page they will be on for the reader.
Masthead
Simple “Inside the mag…” works well
for this magazine, in a simple yet
effective “girly” font in white amongst a
pink background sticks to the house
style of TOTP, with the information that
follows, all that is needed.

7. Colour scheme
The double page
spread sticks to the
colour scheme and
house style of the
Top of the Pops
magazine, using the
typical pink, black
and white whilst
inducing fainter and
lighter colours to mix
in, with the pink
being a connotation
of a feminine
presence in the
magazine.
Layout
The layout for this double page spread is split into 4 different
columns and instead of conventional 3 columns you would usually
find, having the columns set out like this allows the reader to feel as
if there is less text to go through making them more likely to read
the whole article. The main feature of Taylor Swift is situated on the
far right of the spread taking up roughly 1/3 of the two pages
vertically, this immediately shows the reader what and who the
article or interview is about without even having to think. The
quotation of “No matter what you read, I’m not dating anyone!” is
shown at the top of the page taking up 1/3 of the page horizontally.
This creates various dimensions for the spread and makes the
different shapes a more interesting layout for the reader.
Main Image
The main image is situated on the far right taking up
around 1/3 of the page, she is automatically recognizable
to the pop genre so this is another enforcement of the
target audience and type of magazine this is. She is
looking very sweet and innocent whilst maintaining a
direct gaze with the camera, which will reflect onto the
young girl reading this magazine, the direct gaze also
makes the reader feel comfortable and invited in. It is also
the first thing the eye catches which allows the reader to
Quotation
The quotation at the top
of the page saying “No
matter what you read, I’m
not dating anyone!” adds
variety and differentiates
to other magazine as this
acts as the title, this
creates a house identity
for the magazine. It also
tells the viewer the main
subject of the following
article as well as linking
in with the main image.
Conventions.
What you would expect from a double page
spread, half of the double page being taken up
by Florence (the feature) having the image being
dominant in comparison to the rest of the
spread, then the other half being the story of the
feature. Also having a summary question before
reaching the main text enticing what the text will
be about.