1. OCR Media Studies – AS Level
Unit G321: Advanced Portfolio
Name: Bethany Vaughan
Candidate Number: 4137
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
Music Magazine –
Masthead Font Styles
2. Masthead Font Styles
Font Name: Colleged
I like this font and it is a font I would consider using in my music magazine front cover.
I like it’s simplicity as it makes it easy to read. However some letters appear to light for
example the e which may cause issues.
This font connotes youth due to the college style so would suit my teen and young
adult target audience. The worn effect on the font suggest rebelliousness which suits
the attitude of my magazine. This font choice is inspired by the mast head of ‘Big
Choice’ magazine which similarly uses the college style font while the use of a worn
effect is inspired by the ‘Kerrang’ mast head which appears to be shattered.
3. Masthead Font Styles
Font Name: CAUTION
I am going to take this font into consideration for the mast head of my magazine. This
is because the distressed effect and caution tape used conform to the conventions of
the punk genre and the distressed effect is seen in other music magazines such as
‘KERRANG!’ which is of a similar style to what I aim to achieve. The distressed effect
looks food however it causes the text to appear very light in some parts making it
difficult to read.
The distressed style of the font connotes the punk genre as it is grunge, a style closely
associated with punk music and culture. Furthermore the caution tape above and
bellow the text suggests rebelliousness as it connotes that by reading the magazine
you are going against the warning and breaking rules, this could signify (De Saussure)
how the magazine breaks the rules. This fits the attitude of my magazine as I aim to
produce a magazine that is out there and is rebellious, breaking the rules a little bit.
4. Masthead Font Styles
Font Name: Broken Glass
I like this font as the effect used to make it appear like smashed glass looks
rebellious and edgy which suits the desired tone of my magazine very well.
However, the letters are very thin so it may not be suitable as a masthead, I could
horizontally scale the characters in Photoshop but this may cause them to become
distorted and difficult to read.
The shattering effect on the font connotes rebelliousness and gives the magazine a
loud, rough personality which is typical of other magazines like KERRANG! which
has inspired this font choice. This is because I believe KERRANG! achieves the tone
I am aiming to create in my magazine.
5. Masthead Font Styles
Font Name: Skratch Punk
I would consider using this font in the front cover of my music magazine because it
conforms to the conventions of the genre. The scratched up style of the font makes it
appear battered and broken which is seen in other mastheads such as KERRANG.
However the scratches are quite thick which could cause issues with clarity making it
difficult to read.
This font connotes rebelliousness as it is broken and smashed up suggesting anger, a
feeling closely associated with rebellious behaviour. This suits the attitude of my
magazine as I aim to achieve an edgy and out there magazine. This font choice is
inspired by the mast head of ‘KERRANG’ magazine which similarly uses a distressed
style font as theirs appears shattered. KERRANG is a very successful music magazine
and is similar to the style I aim to achieve so I believe that using a similar font style will
be beneficial to my magazine.
6. Masthead Font Style – Final Choice
Font Name: BREAK IT
This font is easy to read and has wide letters so could easily And effectively be used in
my magazine masthead. Similar to Broken Glass it has a smashed look but the thin lines
make it easier to read. Furthermore the shattering effect on this font is more realistic
and therefore is much more appealing, it also uses thin lines making it clear to read.
The shattering effect font connotes a magazine which is edgy, rebellious, and is
stereotypical to the punk genre so would signify the magazines genre to the audience
and encourage them to buy it. Furthermore the font is bold and thick connoting a loud
and out there attitude which will grab the attention of an audience and also means
that it is easy to read. Magazines like KERRANG! also use shattered font styles which
has inspired this font choice, I believe KERRANG! effectively achieves the tone I am
aiming to create in my magazine which has influenced my decision to use this font
which is similar to their shattered text style in my mast head as I believe it will be
effective in attracting an audience and making the magazines genre clear.
