2. INTRODUCTION
For my Music Magazine, I have chosen the genre of
Rock. The genre has been around for a long time
and was very popular in the 70’s and has inspired
current music artists to include aspects of the
genre in their music. So, in order to convey my
magazine to my target audience, I need to include
typography that stands out from other fonts as
Rock can be very abstract. I also need to include a
dark and bland colour palette (Red and Black) to
connote Rock’s aggressive nature that a lot of
people associate the genre with. The images will
be dark and exaggerated as well, such as a close
up of a musical act showing a miserable face to
suggest an intimidating mood. These types of
conventions make the genre recognizable and
make it easier to identify the target audience.
3. FRONT COVERS
Kerrang is one of the most popular modern rock
magazines, and a lot of genre conventions are
included on this front cover, as well different signs
being used.
The central image of Jared Leto, who is the lead singer
of the band ‘30 Seconds to Mars’, is an Indexical
sign because his posture and facial expressions
suggest that there is a meaning to the shot. The
close up and his facial expressions suggest a
daunting mood, which suggests an aggressive
atmosphere, which is what a lot of rock fans look
for in that genre of music.. The quote ‘I could be
your worst enemy’ reinforces this idea and is an
anchorage as it relates to Leto’s facial expression.
The dark clothing emphasizes this impression more
as well. Leto doesn't appear to wear any makeup,
which suggests that the article is up-close and
personal and he has nothing to hide, which is
hinted at in the caption ‘Jared Leto’s dark side
exposed!’
4. The secondary images are all shots of the other rock acts that are
mentioned in this issue. These stress the magazines emphasis on
rock and it’s connections with popular and successful acts. Which
makes the company more trustworthy.
The typography used is a symbolic sign. The main cover line
which uses the bands logo is presented in the same font but
shown in red so it blends in with the front covers dark and bland
colour palette. The imitation of the band’s logo makes it easily
recognizable to the fans, which therefore makes it a symbolic
sign. The majority of the other text used is iconic because it
directly tells the reader what they will get if they buy the magazine.
The Masthead is much more eye-catching then the other text
used. The font and colour of the masthead is symbolic because
the logo for ‘Kerrang!’ is recognizable to people who read the
magazine or listen to the radio station. The ‘broken glass’
highlights rock’s combative and individual sound. The majority of
the typography uses a ‘Sans Serif’ font which emphasizes the
magazines informal element.
5. FRONT COVERS
This issue of ‘Rock Sound’ suggests that the
magazines are for a younger target audience, due to
it’s brighter colours and informal layout and
typography.
The central image of the group ‘Fall Out Boy’ shows
the group giving direct contact to the reader. This is an
indexical sign because it suggests that the article
about the group is intimate and personal, making it
appealing to the reader. The groups clothes are dark
which contrasts with the light blue background, which
makes the group stand out more. Whilst the other
members of the band appear quite intimidating, the
main band member appears interested and
fascinated, which suggests that the group has an
interesting and mixed persona, appealing to other
aspects of the rock genre. However, the main band
member’s posture shows him leaning over, which
makes him appear imposing and intimidating. This is
6. The layout of the cover is very informal. It uses a bright
colour palette (blue, yellow) but it also incorporates some
dark colours, mainly around the bright secondary cover
lines, which makes them more eye-catching. The colours
are iconic because they represent a care free nature in
terms of what the magazine includes. However, the bright
colours and the central images intimidating look gives a
mixed message, but this widens the target audience more.
The typography is quite informal, which highlights the
untroubled feel of the magazine. The text is colourful and
shown in bold fonts. The main cover line doesn’t use the
bands official logo, but it looks similar to the other text at
the bottom left of the cover, which emphasizes the rock
genre. Therefore, it is an iconic sign. The cover line is also
shown in a bright yellow colour, in contrast with the bands
dark clothes, which makes it stand out. The masthead is
presented in front of the central image which makes the
masthead eye-catching. Because it is presented in a red
colour, it reinforces the idea of the dark colours that are
associated with the rock genre (red, black) but it is
presented in a lighter red, which again highlights the
7. CONTENTS PAGE
The contents page for this issue of
Kerrang appears quite detailed,
Sharp and not overcrowded with
text, which shows a more formal
look, making the magazine appear
more sophisticated and reliable in
terms of its content.
The top half of the page is mainly
covered by a large image of a man
playing am electric guitar, on his
knees. This image is both an
iconic and symbolic sign because
it represents the stereotypical
image of bands playing at live
shows, but it is also recognised by
fans of rock and gigs. The camera
angle of the picture is at a low
angle which makes it appear as if
the reader has gained a front row
seat, making it more appealing.
8. The bottom half of the contents page is made up
of text and secondary images. The magazine is
broken down into sections and is clearly shown
due to the larger text being inside a black box,
in contrast with the white background. The text
is an iconic sign as well as the puff/pug at the
bottom right which is representing an offer of
the magazine. The colours used are quite bland
and simple, so the page doesn’t look too
colourful and/or informal. This is an iconic sign
because it is generally representing the articles
the magazine has, but it also shows this in the
style that people associate the rock genre with.
9. CONTENTS PAGE
This contents page is simple,
straightforward and
uncluttered. This makes it
easier for the reader to
understand what the magazine
includes.
The image of Jacob Saddix shows
him using direct contact
towards the audience and he is
putting on a amusing face,
which perhaps relates to rock
creative and unique side. His
facial expression contrasts
with his clothing and tattoos,
which makes him appear
intimidating. The image is both
an iconic and symbolic sign. It
is an iconic sign because it
simply represents the artist,
but it is also an symbolic sign
because his dark colours and
10. The typography on this contents page uses a
sans serif font, which usually suggests a
informal style. Because the layout of the text is
informal but the layout of the page is formal, it
is a subvert use of text. The colour of the text is
bland and not colourful, very much like other
rock magazines.
11. DOUBLE PAGE SPREADS
This double page spread
highly shows the codes
and conventions of the
rock genre.
The colour used on the
spread is very dark (black
background, red and
purple text) which is an
symbolic sign because the
dark colours are
associated with the rock
genre, due to the
stereotypical idea that rock
music is aggressive.
12. The central image of ‘The All American Rejects’
shows the band bending over at a low camera
angle. This perhaps suggests that the band’s
music is quite intimidating, but there clothes
suggest that it is quite creative and exciting at
the same time. The image is a iconic sign
because it is representing the band and their
style of music.
The typography uses a sans serif font, so It is
therefore informal, but the text is presented in a
sharp, clear style, so it is therefore a subvert
use of text.
13. DOUBLE PAGE SPREADS
This double page spread shows the
central image of ‘A Day of
Remember’ taking up the majority of
the page, with text around the edges
of the page.
The central image of the band shows
them screaming at the camera,
which immediately suggests that
there music is energetic and upbeat,
suggesting a younger audience. The
image is an iconic and symbolic sign.
It is iconic because it represents the
band, but it is also symbolic because
it is representing a young, active
14. The spread uses a bland colour palette. The
background is black which is expected, and it is
contrast with the white text, so it stands out
more.
The typography on the spread looks quite like
what people would relate to an American high
school. This suggests that the band is American
and that their music is suited towards a more
younger audience. The typography is a
symbolic sign because the text is representing
the colours that people associate rock with.
