2. Masthead:
The masthead is the title of the magazine;
which is always placed at the top. This will
conventionally always be bold on purpose to
attract the audience straight away. In this case,
the masthead is a vibrant red with a white
and black stroke effect to make the masthead
stand out. Additionally, the choice of colours
fits the colour scheme which makes the
magazine layout appear well structured and
organised. A positive of this is that NME is a
branded magazine meaning, that it’s target
audience knows exactly what to expect.
Colour Scheme:
The magazine’s colour scheme is quite masculine which signifies that
the magazine has a male target audience. However because the
magazine genre is music, it may have a very small female niche
market. The main colours are red, black and white. Both black and
red have connotations of power. This is significant because it
emphasises that Dizzee has the power to spread “joy around the
world..” The colour white is significant because it has positive
connotations of light. Again this relates to the word “joy” in the main
cover line as it means pleasure and happiness. This has as positive
representation because through the model, the magazine is
promoting positive energy.
Target Audience Profile:
From the magazine front cover, I think that the magazine is
targeted at males of all ethnic groups however, it is
predominantly targeted at White and Black men. This is because
the model is Dizzee Rascal who is a black male and because the
strapline mentions Jay-Z who is an American rap icon. However,
the cover lines mentions rock bands which are predominantly
targeted at white males. I would say that, age group for the
magazine is 23-38. The target black audience may drink beers
such as Heineken. They may wear snapbacks and tracksuits or a
plain back tee with either black or light blues jeans, and
Timberlands to compliment their look. Conversely, the white
target audience may wear converse and skinny jeans. They would
have a short hair cut with the front section slightly longer. They
may drink a variety of beers and ciders and would go on regular
“weekend raves”.
FRONT COVER
3. Mise-En-Scene:
This is shown in this image because Dizzee is representing Working/Middle Class people. Which is shown through his
clothing. You can see this because he is dressed in a very casual, informal attire which most men would wear on a weekend.
they may have a uniform or wear a suit to work within the week.
Rule Of Thirds:
I have added lines on the
image to emphasise rule of
thirds. Rule of thirds is used
to show visual points of
interest. This is used in
magazines to attract the
reader to specific points as
well as, to ensure that
important information is at
the readers visual point of
view. For example, because
a barcode is unimportant, it
will most commonly be
placed in the bottom right
hand corner of a magazine.
However, because the
model is an important
aspect of the magazine, at
some point a particular
body part will cross between
the lines which attracts the
reader. As shown in this
magazine, Dizzee Rascal’s
eye are joins the lines which
makes him a point of
interest for the reader.
Medium Long Shot:
I think that, the main image is a
MLS because you can see
Dizzee’s body and the image
background however, you can’t
see his hands. The denotations
of the main image is Dizzee (the
model) wearing a vest top,
baggy jeans and trainers which
match the colour scheme.
Mode of Address:
The mode of address informal as
the main cover line mentions
words such as “I’m” and “man”.
To some readers, this can be
seen as colloquial language as
Dizzee is from Bow in London.
Although NME doesn’t use
direct address through it’s choice
of words, by Dizzee looking
directly at the camera; the
reader is able to feel like the
model is specifically looking at
them.
4. CONTENTS PAGE
Main Image:
This is significant because it allows the reader to understand what the
magazine is about. By the image being bordered it enables it to stand
out so that it captures the readers eye more easily.
In order to follow the magazine’s codes and conventions, the image will
be linked to the article which enables the reader to have a idea as to
what the article is saying. In this case, the main image will tell new
readers that the magazine content is revolved around music as the
denotations of the image consist of a woman posing outside a red tour
bus which has connotations of a national concert by a popular artist(s).
Therefore, the reader will understand that NME is music orientated.
Shot Type:
The main image is a medium shot as it
contains half the model's body and head.
Through the image, the magazine uses a
direct mode of address as the model is
looking directly at the camera to purposely
engage the reader. The image also uses
mise-en-scene to emphasise the genre. By
the model wearing black and white, the
audience may believe that she is involved in
a rock group. Additionally, her eye makeup
is quite dark which represents the sinister
side to rock music.
Masthead & Main Heading
NME has included their masthead onto the contents page so
that the magazine appears to be well structured and
organised. By doing this, the reader knows exactly what the
focus of this page is because the heading is at the top. This
is important in a magazine because it informs the reader of
what topics will be covered throughout the magazine. This
then gives the target audience the opportunity to browse
what the magazine will feature. Also, Some magazines may
feature a sub-heading to provide extra information to the
reader.
Brand Identity:
NME’s identity is revealed through the house style. This is so that
the page appears to be well structured and organised. The house
style is red, white and black. This is then incorporarted into each
page so that the magazine doesn’t become confusing.
5. Date/Issue Number:
Underneath the main heading, NME have included the date that
the magazine was published. The date is always published on a
magazine so that it’s readers are kept up-to-date with the issue.
This enables the readers to follow the magazine and see which
ones they missed. Although NME has no issue number, it has the
date which signifies that it’s a monthly magazine. The date then
allows the magazine focus on the genre’s most popular topics
month. In this case.; it will focus on what's popular In the music
industry.
Rule of Thirds:
Again, I have added lines onto the image to show the visual points of
interest. The middle block contains the page’s main image which is
significant because it is one of the page’s main focuses. This is emphasised
because the image takes up four blocks which signifies its importance in
the magazine. Rule of Thirds creates meaning because it outlines what the
magazine sees as visually important aspects.
Layout:
The page’s layout follows codes and conventions as article title and contents are structured in columns. This enables a
large amount of content to be placed on one page – meaning that all the relevant information is easily accessed, as it is
positioned underneath the appropriate title (ie. News). Additionally, by adding page numbers next to the article title; the
reader is able to easily flick through the magazine to the point of interest.
By the magazine using different fonts for the brand index or the article content, it shows that each topic has it’s own
focus and relevance to the magazine. This then enables the reader to distinguish the different topics being mentioned in
the magazine.
Extra Information:
Anchorage is when an image has a caption in order to
give it meaning. In this case, the main image isn’t
anchored however; the article below allows the reader
to understand it’s purpose. Magazines may also
include grab quotes which picks out key information to
entice the reader.
Additionally, magazines will have an editorial which is
an open-source tool used to preserve research and
any particular thoughts that they would like to include
in the magazine.
6. Representation:
On the article page, the denotation of the images would be that
there are empty beer bottles and plastic cups. There is also a
speaker and a tape recorder. From these images, the reader
think that the article is party related because the images are
genuinely associated with fun and entertainment.
Therefore, the images have connotations of Dizzee’s possible laid
back lifestyle which involved lots of partying and music. Also, the
images could signify that when Dizzee realised that he wanted to
become a rapper; he learnt that the perks of being a rapper
that he would have to go to parties to promote his music. The
empty bottles could signify having fun with friends and getting
drunk, whereas the speaker could signify the main focus of the
article – music. The tape recorder could signify Dizzee recording
albums in the studio or how he started.
Overall Impression:
Overall, I like the double page spread. Think the colour choices link with the magazine’s house style which makes it look well
organised. Also the colours and the main image background represents the hip-hop industry as it is very urban which links to
spray painted designs and boom box speakers
The by line is very small which is significant which is good because it doesn’t take the attention away from the main article;
however, it still follows codes and conventions because it’s included on the page.
The mode of address is direct through words. This is emphasised by the first word in the article which is “you”. This enables
the reader to feel like they are specifically being spoken to which makes them more inclined to read more.
The page number is at the bottom of each page which links to the contents page. This is significant because it enables the
reader to easily navigate what is on a particular page.
I don’t think that branding was used much on the double page because NME’’s logo is not included on the pages. However,
in the top right hand corner of the right hand page, it has Dizzee’s name which is possibly his own logo.
To improve I think that the double page spread could be improved by putting the article on the left instead of the right. By
doing this it would look like Dizzee’s looking at the article which mentions his struggle and achievements. Therefore, it would
make him look like he’s reflecting on the past, before he focuses on the future.
DOUBLE-PAGE
SPREAD
7. Design:
The double page spread follows a basic layout because the main image is on the left hand and the article is on the other
page.
The article is structured in columns with the same column width. By doing this; a lot of information is able to fit onto one
page. The column with is important because it shows that the magazine has thought about the use of space. This enables
them to include other images relating to the article. This then gives the reader an idea of the focus of the magazine.
The use of images is important because it makes the page look more attractive. Therefore, the reader is more inclined to
it because the images draw the reader in. Additionally images, enable the reader to understand the article more; which
the article more effective.
In order to make the article more enticing; NME have used a drop cap at the start of the article so that it interests the
This is effective because by the drop cap being big and bold, it is easier to see.
Font and type size is important because it enables certain aspects to stand out which makes the article more effective.
Using the same font throughout the whole article enables it to appear well structured. By the main heading being really big
the reader is more inclined to read it, which then leads to them reading the sub-heading and eventually the article.
How are the images and text integrated?
The image o the tape recorder could link to the
text because it could signify that before he
became famous; he used to record his mixtapes
using one then selling them and playing them to
anyone who would hear. Also the heading “tags to
riches” could link to the quotation “rags to riches”
which means starting from the bottom (poor) until
you get what you want and become rich. Whether
that’s financially or spiritually.
Additionally, the caption says “2009 has been
Dizzee Rascal’s year. This could indicate that he has
finally got to where he wanted to be.
8. Identify the elements that
connect the 3 different parts of
the magazine.
Throughout the three different parts of the
magazine, the same house style is running. This
gives the magazine a professional look and makes
it appear well structured.
On each page, the same font is used which makes
the magazine appear less confusing. By having the
same font on every page it represents that the
focus of each article is the theme of the magazine;
which is music. However, by having the same font
running throughout it can become boring because
the reader knows what to expect on each page.
Each page contains at least one image. This is
significant because it allows the reader to interpret
what the magazine is trying to say to its target
audience without having to read anything.
Additionally, all elements include a model which is
significant because the model will promote
connotations relating to the focus of the page.
By combining each of these elements onto each
page, NME is able to appeal to its target audience
because thy have created an attractive magazine
that its consumers will want to read.
