The document compares and contrasts the similarities and differences between two music magazines - the document writer's magazine called "The Booth Magazine" and the established magazine "XXL". Some key similarities include both magazines having mastheads, main coverlines, normal coverlines, main images, drop caps, bylines, standfirsts, and crossheads. Both also follow conventions like placement of elements and use of consistent color schemes. Differences include the document writer's magazine having a selling line, branding logo, QR code, and more images on the contents page. Additionally, it includes social media links while "XXL" does not. The document writer made optional choices to include newer features not compulsory in magazine design.

1. Similarities

2. Masthead
Main Coverline
Main Image
Coverlines
Date/Issue Number
Barcode

3. Title
Branding
Page References
Images(s)
Colour Scheme

4. Main Image
Pull Quote
Article Drop Cap
By Line
Headline
Cross Head
Stand First

5. Mastheads of both magazines are in a larger font than the rest of the
features on the magazine front cover. Mine is in yellow with a black
outline making it stand out more. This specific colour, yellow, supports
the genre of rap as it can be perceived as gold which rappers flaunt
within the hip hop genre. The ‘XXL’ magazine is displayed in the top left
in white with a red background which helps it stand out. Both
mastheads are at the top of the magazine, placed on the left. This is
because it is one of the conventions, which both magazines follow, as
audiences tend to read from the top down, left to right.
A main coverline is also shown on both magazines. The fact it is a
‘main’ coverline is demonstrated as they are larger than the rest of the
normal coverlines. Main coverlines support the main image of the
magazine and should show a relation between the two as well as
anchoring the main purpose for the magazine. The ‘XXL’ magazines
main coverline has the name in a big, white, bright font and states the
definition behind the main image as well as a relation; Kendrick Lamar.
My magazines main coverline is in a larger font and links into the main
image as it is a photograph of an upcoming artist. It is in yellow with a
black outline and uses the same font as the masthead. Both magazines
follow the codes and conventions as it is easy to distinguish the main
coverline from the normal ones.
A series of normal coverlines are shown on both magazines. These
coverlines should support the topics portrayed through and without the
magazine. My magazine cover lines focus on music related subjects
and will appear somewhere within the magazine. The colour of my
coverlines are the same as the main coverline and masthead showing
use of the same colour scheme (yellow) to compliment the
presentation. The ‘XXL’ magazine has coverlines outlined around the
main image and consist of the colour white. This magazine also follows
a set colour scheme which gives an appealing presentation. I got my
layout idea from the ‘XXL’ magazine as to placing my coverlines around
the subject (main image) and creating almost an identical presentation.
Both magazines have a main image which shows a relation to the
magazine and the main coverline. The ‘XXL’ magazines main image is of
a famous hip hop artist representing the brand of the magazine and
relates to the topic of which it is set to be hip hop/rap. The icon is
showing direct mode of address meaning they are communication with
the audience. My magazine has taken inspiration from the ‘XXL’
magazine as the image is a close up and uses direct mode of address to
communicate with its audience. This follows the codes and conventions
as direct mode of addresses allows the audience to e engage better
with the magazine
Issue numbers. This is a simple concept which indicates when the
magazine has been published and clearly the issue number; A meek
feature which can easily be forgotten. The ‘XXL’ magazine has it
indicated in tiny font at the bottom left of the magazine clearly stating
the issue number next to the barcode. My magazine has it also located
in the bottom left yet mine is slightly more clear and yellow font colour
supporting the colour scheme.
One of the most fundamental parts of any magazine; a barcode. A
simple feature which could be indicated on either the front cover or
back cover. Mine is added in the bottom right hand corner and is just a
simple price representation. The ‘XXL’ magazine has it placed on the
bottom left once again simply representing the price of the magazine.

6. Both magazines have a title of what the page is for. My magazine has
‘Contents’ stated across the right hand side of the page in the same
font and colour as the masthead and main coverline on the front cover,
I also have used the yellow colour font which follows the colour scheme
of my magazine. The ‘VIBE’ magazine has ‘features’ written in the top
left hand corner of the page in small black font, black font suits the
colour scheme on the rest of the page. The fact the ‘VIBE’ magazine has
used ‘features’ instead of ‘contents’ is another way to portray the same
idea, they could’ve used ‘features’ instead because features are a word
used in the music industry to show multiple artists on one song. Both
magazines follow the code and conventions as they have the title
stated at the top of the page which is going to be the audiences main
focus when viewing the page.
Page references. A basic feature showing simple instructions. Both
magazine pages have page numbers alongside the page titles to
indicate where about to find that article in the magazine. The page
references on my magazine are in the same font and colour as my
masthead, main coverline and title of my contents page. My page
umbers are also next to the images to show the audience where to find
that specific article corresponding to the image. The ‘VIBE’ magazine
has page numbers alongside and small paragraph talking about what to
expect on them pages. They are in a black colour and same font as the
title of the page. An additional feature that the ‘VIBE’ magazine has in
the enlarged page number which shows a relation to the image also on
the page as they are related.
Branding is shown on both magazine front covers. Branding is a
representation of the producer of the magazine. My magazine used the
masthead from the front cover and placed it in the top left, in the same
font and yellow colour following the colour scheme to show a
relationship between the pages as well as placing my logo next to it.
The ‘VIBE’ magazine has a ‘V’ letter placed in the top right in a red
colour. Both magazines follow code and conventions as to indicating
the branding at the top of the page as audiences read from the top
down.
Both magazines include pictures on their contents pages. The images
should show what to expect from the magazine and have a relationship
to the page titles. My magazine has three images with a small header
on underneath which states what that picture shows. The font is the
same as the other main features of my magazine as well as the same
yellow colour which follows the colour scheme of the magazine. The
‘VIBE’ magazine has one, main image which is supported by the
enlarged page numbers on the side of it. Instead of having headers like
mine the ‘VIBE’ magazine just has a larger section of numbers which are
not next to the rest of the page references.
Both magazines follow a set colour scheme which shows a relation to
the front cover. My page has a graffiti background which supports the
mise en scene of the hip hop genre alongside yellow fonts which are
also used on the front cover. My colour scheme is also a representation
of stereotypes of artists flashing their ‘gold’ jewellery. The ‘VIBE’
magazine has a white background, which is also used on the front
cover, and a use of red and black fonts which follow the colour scheme
on the front cover. The same use of font is also used on both magazine
front covers and contents pages. (This contents page example is not the
same as the first slides front cover.)

7. The article. Articles are either free flowing or a Q&A and are a general
conversation between the interviewer and celebrity with audiences are
able to gain new information from. My article is spread out into three
columns going downwards and is set out over both the pages. I used
the same colour yellow to follow the colour scheme throughout the
different pages as well as the same font, it also stands out against the
black background. The other magazine uses the same concept of three
columns on both pages but in a black font colour which compliments it
presentation on the page against the pink background. Both magazines
follow codes and convents as to having a clear layout which is easy for
the audience to follow.
Pull quotes are enlarged quotes placed somewhere within the page
which gains further attention off of its reader/audience. My magazine
has two pull quotes which are in a larger font than the rest of the
article making them more clear to the audience. The other magazine
also has a pull quote which is in larger font but also has a background to
make it stand out. Both magazines have followed codes and
conventions by making the quote explicit compared to the rest of the
article.
Both magazine have a large main image which is placed on either the
middle of the right or left page, it also supports the stand
first/headline/crosshead. The main image supports the article as it is an
article about the celebrity. I have used a long shit showing my model in
a hip hop related mise en scene, thus the large speaker. My model also
has a big chain which supports the stereotype that artists of the rap
genre show off their jewellery. I have also put a yellow stroke around
my image to compliment and match the colour scheme throughout the
magazine. The other magazine uses a mid show showing just half the
celebrities body. Because it is a pop magazine the icon is only really
showing off her wacky clothes and jewellery. Both magazines use
images that use direct mode of address so they are inviting audiences
to read the article and/or magazine.
Drop caps, a simple feature which helps the audience find the start of
the article. Mine is in a larger font than the rest of the article and is
placed at the start. The other magazine also uses it in a larger font yet
uses a different colour font making it more explicit. Both magazines
follow codes and conventions of using a drop cap in the right way at the
start of the article in a larger font.
By first is another simple feature which is basically telling the audience
who the article is by. My by-line is underneath the stand first in a small,
yellow font which follows the colour scheme. The other magazine has
placed the by-line within their standfirst. The magazines both follow
the codes and conventions of including the by-line somewhere within
the page. It is not really a main focus but just a small credit for the
person who wrote the article.
Stand firsts are used in both magazine DPS’. They are basically small
summaries under the crosshead/headline breaking up what the article
is about in smaller words. Mine is under my crosshead/headline in a
slightly larger font than the article but not too big. It is in the same
yellow colour as the other features on my magazine following the
colour scheme. The other magazines stand first follows the same
concept as mine but in a black font, making them both follow the codes
and conventions of a typical magazine.
Crossheads are basically titles of who the article is about, they are
placed at the top of the page in a large font telling the audience. Mine
is in the same font and colour as the masthead and is placed on the left
page. The other magazine has also displayed the artists name in large
pink font making it clear to the audience who the article is about

8. Differences

9. QR Code
Social Media
Branding
Selling Line

10. Number of Images
Social Media

11. Branding
Banner
Social Media

12. Selling line, the point of a selling line is to create an atmosphere of what the magazine is
aimed at mainly. I have followed the typical code and convention by placing it under my
masthead in the same colour font in order to follow my colour scheme. The ‘XXL’ magazine
does not have one however, this may be because the magazine brand is already well
known for what their magazine is aimed at.
Branding is shown on both magazine front covers. Branding is a representation of the
producer of the magazine. I have placed my logo next to my masthead which is off an
object which connotes to the music theme. Once again, the ‘XXL’ magazine has not
included it cause it is not very compulsory and their magazine is already well known for hip
hop music
QR codes are also not very compulsory as they are an additional feature which producers
choose whether or not to use. In addition, it is a new feature based upon newer phone
technology meaning it may not have been invented when the ‘XXL’ magazine came out. I
have however added one and placed it on the bottom left hand side of my front cover.
Social media links are also another optional feature which I have chosen to include on all
four pages. I probably didn’t really need to have them on all four pages but I decided to do
so anyway. For my front cover and contents page I used them as a way audiences were
able to connect to the magazine producers thus I used ‘@TheBoothMagazine.’ However on
the DPS I used it in a way the audience was able to connect with the upcoming artist
therefore used ‘@KKhanMusic.’
On my contents page I used three images where on the ‘Vibe’ magazine there was only
one. This is because my magazine was a first issue therefore it needed more artists to
feature throughout the magazine. On the other hand, ‘Vibe’ magazine only has one as it is
a very popular magazine producer and is in the making of creating a vast amount of
magazines.
The banner is just an aesthetic feature which I have used in order to present my DPS in a
more presentable way. I used the colour grey as it fitted in within the colour scheme of the
rest of my magazine