Research and planning

1. Magazine Name
Analysis

2. The Kerrang masthead uses a sans-serif style font suggesting its
for a younger and more youthful target audience. The use of an
explanation point makes it seem as if it's being shouted or at
least said with enthusiasm giving it a much louder feel. The lines
through the letters give them a shattered effect, this is a
reference to how certain high volume and frequencies can
shatter glass, another link back to rock music. The graphical use
of splattering and decaying makes the word seem shabby and
different, which can identify other genres represented in
Kerrang magazine.

3. The font used for Q is simple and clear, this
makes it seem like a more sophisticated
magazine. Its simplistic design suggests its
aimed for a wide audience and is memorable
and striking so readers can easily find it
amongst a rack of magazines. The contrast
between the colours helps draw the eye of the
reader.

4. NME is an acronym of ‘New Musical Express’ and it was
first publish in 1952. Starting as a newspaper. ‘Express’
relating to the famous newspaper ‘The Daily Express’ is
well known as a newpaper term but can also relate to
speed therefore insinuating that the paper is quick with
the ‘Music News’. The large bold font used in this
masthead always stands out and adds to the overcrowed
and informational cover pages of NME magazine. The
outline in black adds to the boldness and creates a clean
and sharp masthead.

5. ‘heat’ magazine is a largely respected magazine based on
gossip, fashion and real life stories. ‘heat’ known in relation
to the word hot. “Hot” has gained many connotations due to
dialogue and slang. “Hot” can now mean good looking or for
a person to be handsome now used in the 21st century to
describe how a person looks. Also “hot” can be related to the
phrase “hot gossip” meaning the latest gossip. This relates to
the gossip element that ‘heat’ offers. The ‘heat’ masthead is
easily recognisable in the UK due to its individuality and
bright attractive colour scheme. The font used is very bold
and bright. Also quite quite feminine – due to the fact women
love gossip and celebrities.

6. The contrast between the red and white outline helps
the masthead stand out. The 3D effect allows the
masthead to be effectively masked over picture and
make it seem like it’s truly in front of it which can
help it stand out but also be a good graphical effect
that could work well with a more organised front
cover layout. This masthead uses serif style font
suggesting its for a older audience. The name of the
magazine allows the reader to know what genre of
music is going to be included in the magazine, as ‘the
Rolling Stones’ are a rock band.