2. 3 Genres Strengths and weakness’
Genre Strengths Weakness’
Alternative Rock • Popular music genre nowadays
• Open colour scheme choice
• Many artists/group specialising in this
genre
• Both Kerrang and NME successful
examples
• Costume choices open for the genre
• Clear instrument props: Guitar,
microphone, drums
• Many Sub-genres of alternative to choose
from
• Unlimited topics in songs
• Not many magazine specialise in
Alternative rock
• Many Rules to this type of magazine
• Makeup and props may be advanced
• Expressions is vital for this genre
• Majority male dominant bands
• Hard to establish particular target audience
from
Pop • Most popular music genre
• Countless artists and groups to choose from
• Loads of new pop stars annually
• Custom, makeup and props can vary
• Majority radio stations and TV dedicated to
pop
• Charts dominated by pop
• Suitable for all ages
• Pop can be about many different topics
• A lot of magazines already release pop as
their genre
• Can be hard to show a magazine is pop
• Reaching out to a certain target audience
can be hard with pop
• Can be overwhelming with many song
titles, albums being released all the time
• Instruments vary, most the times just vocals
from the artists.
R&B • Many well known and dated songs are
R&B
• Relaxing, sensual
• Also quite popular
• Many different instruments used
• Set stereotypically costume
• Hard to distinguish target audiences
• Difficult to choose colour scheme
• Themes less open than other – usually
about freedom, relationship, aspirations
etc…
• Can be hard to make a magazine seem
R&B straight away
3. Public Results (Genres)Genre Frequency (Total: 12)
Alternative Rock 4
Pop 4
R&B 4
I asked a total of twelve people whether they prefer rock, pop or R&B and asked for response
in the form of an audio file. The youngest age being 11 and oldest being 47 so there was a
range of ages asked within my research. I asked five boys and seven girls so it was reasonably
equal and I considered both genres. For each genre there was at least one male which preferred
it showing that they all appeal to males and females. The reason I think all the genres have the
same frequency is because they are all popular genre choices today appealing to any age and
gender. I had hypothesised that the results should be similar as I purposefully chose the most up
to date popular music genres.
4. Confirmation of Genre
I have chosen to do the genre of Rock, more specifically the sub genre Alternative Rock. I chose
this because I personally have an interest in this type of music and so should be more effective
that I do something I enjoy. Also, technically it should be quite challenging to portray this genre
and fun to display it through costume and makeup of model – it allows you to be more creative
with this genre. In terms of research, the feedback I collected did help to confirm me doing this
genre as since all the genre totals were equal it showed that it’s still popular and should be good
to do. In addition after doing independent research I found there isn’t many Alternative rock
specialised magazines so it should spark more interest with me doing one.
5. Mastheads
Codes and Conventions of Mastheads:
Overall the masthead must stand out from other features on the
page, to do this they are usually in display fonts and in a larger
font size. The masthead is conventionally positioned at the top of
the page either in the center or from left to right in order to draw
immediate attention. Another code associated with masthead is
that they should relate to the genre of the magazine or have
connotations of that genre. For example a pop magazine should
have a lively, positive masthead like “Fizz” in contrast to a hip
hop masthead where it would be more cynical an serious:
“Beatz”.
6. Name Ideas
• Shatter: Using a verb as a magazine can be seen as daring and unusual like the music genre. Rock music
can stereotypically be associated with things shattering. The word “Shatter” has a harsh sound to it which
can be associated with rock. Using one word as a masthead can be effective and is common. Also, the font
of shatter an relate to the word making It more effective.
• Rock out: a simple option which denotes the genre of the magazine. Both words are short and sharp
making it more memorable.
• Alter: this idea stemmed from the main focus being alternative rock and I’ve cut the word “Alternative”
into alter, considered a play on words effective to young target audience?
• Titanium: a strong, powerful, mineral rock which can relate to rock music as it emits that feel too.
• Distortion: a musical technique used in rock also adds a different meaning as well as it links in with
themes in rock music and what rock can represent.
• Mercury: connotation of poison and danger which rock lyrics can denote or imply.
• ARP (Alternative rock press): Using letters to spark interest and being more memorable and catchy.
• Phantom: mysterious tone set and makes the magazine itself more of a mystery
• Paradox: creates an inquisitive, illusion like tone to the magazine an implication of rock
• Ebony: Can relate to rock as its typically black and strong and valuable
• Amps: short for amplify – a musical term
• Oblivion: sets an unknown, anonymous tone to the magazine
• Solar: relates to astronomy a connotation that rock is out of this world as is the magazine as well as being
a short unusual name
• Ignite: A powerful verb perhaps relating to rocks strong forces and fire and rage side. Also makes the
magazine appear more dominant.
7. Colour Scheme
Colour Scheme Codes and conventions:
First of all, a colour scheme forms a house style to the magazine
therefore whatever colour scheme is picked it should flow consistently
throughout the whole magazine. There should be too many colours
selected for the colour scheme other it will be overwhelming – unless is
for a younger audience. The colours should represent the genre of the
magazine whereby shades are important for doing this as dark colours
can stereotypically be related to rock and bright colours link with pop. A
colour scheme should also reveal the target audience, colours can be
manipulate to meet different social groups needs for instance neon and
bright colours can link to young children whilst pastel colours can
appeal to older audiences.
8. Colour Scheme IdeasColours Effect
Black, white, Electric blue Bright contrasting colours that will
make each other stand out. Black can
be heavily associated with rock, white
can contrast rock and electric blue is
lively and the connotations of “electric”
can refer to electric guitars – a main
instrument to rock
Black, White, Red The colours juxtapose each other and
instantly stand out. The bright red can
connate, pain as well as romance
common themes in rock.
Black, white, neon green These colours make each other stand
out and the bright green holds
connotations of poison, toxic and nature
which can relate to rock themes
Black, White, Yellow Each colour would stand out from each
other. Yellow is commonly used with
rock as it is sharp, bright and powerful
in some way.
Black, white, Electric blue, bright
purple
A mix of four colours could be
effective. Mix of colours could be seen
as too soothing or a good colour
combination
9. Fonts
Font is a very important aspect to print products. This is because it is used to portray a particular
message to the audience and can be manipulated to suit genre and target audience aimed. Font
can help to extinguish the magazines branding and establish their house styles.
10. Sans Serif is one of the basic fonts that is commonly used in the body of the magazine – the
article. It is considered a new, modern font which can attract a teenage target audience due to its
sleek appearance. The clear spacing between the letters and equal width creates an appealing,
consistent look as well as being easily readable. I would use Sans serif for the article font as its
simple but effective in terms meeting my niche market of older teenagers.
Strengths:
• Popular and
commonly used
• Can be used in a
variety of areas:
headings, article,
captions etc…
• Effective in
attracting a wider
reaching audience
• More Versatile
• Variety of different
types.
Weakness’:
• Nothing fancy
about it can be too
plain depending on
TA
• Overuse can be
considered boring
• Better at small size
• Better on the
computer then print.
11. Some popular Serif Fonts
Serifs involve decorative accents on the end of their strokes that make up each character their
characteristics include the iconic decorative accents and the changes from thick to thin strokes
throughout the individual characters so the distribution is not equal. Serif is a font relatable to
older times and has a classic approach through the ages. A more mature audience would approve
of this font as is an authentic old font. Therefore, I will like be using this font as my target
audience is teenage viewers and Serif is old fashioned as opposed to modern which is what
they’d look for. In Addition, the genre of Alternative rock won’t suit this original and classic font
and so a more modern and quirky font is required to meet my genre.
Strengths:
• A lot of choice
differing greatly
• Easy to read on
print products.
• Preferred by
older audiences.
• Been around
longer- more
reliable.
Weakness’
• Less versatile
than Sans serif
• Used less
nowadays
• More limited in
where can used –
mostly just for
bodies of text.
12. Script font is a joint font style and almost takes the simalarity of hand written writing to some.
This creates a realistic and personal connotation to the text. In addition, the grace and precision of
this style of font creates a better representation of more peaceful or classic subgenres such as jazz
and other classical music form. In addition, can be more of a feminine and older generation target
audience too as it is like a delicate art associated with older possibly ,upmarket, women. Due to
this analysis it is clear I shouldn’t acquire this font style as I needn’t attract an older audience nor
will my genre of rock suit the artistic approach of font.
Strengths:
• Very nice and appealing
to look out
• Great at attracting a
niche market of older
women
• Adds a personal touch
• Gives an illusion that it
is hand written
• Suits the classical genre
well
• Posh and upper class
feel
Weakness’
• Only used
occasionally
• Overwhelming in
huge amounts
• Can be hard to read
• Not attractive to
younger ages
• Doesn’t suit a lot of
music genres.
• Not versatile.
13. Display Fonts are used to draw attention and emphasize text. Used for important elements on a
magazine such as the masthead, titles and cover lines which highlight the magazine. Should be
used on every magazine at least for the masthead, an effective one preferably to brand the
magazine and make it known – display fonts can suit any genre and a wide reaching audience
depending on the style you choose as you can have an old fashioned style, a modern one, and
quirky one etc… in terms of my magazine I would choose a different abstract type to represent a
rock magazine.
Strengths:
• When used sparingly
is effective
• Great in branding a
product
• Eye catching,
attracting the
audience.
• Variety of display
fonts available
• Can be manipulated
to fit any niche
market
Weakness’:
• Looks horrible if over
used
• Some styles can be
impossible to read
• Determining where to
use it can be difficult.
14. Hand Lettered font is referred as a freestyle like font and considered relatable to humans as it
gives a personal touch. This is why this style is usually used in editorials due to it being a
personal message as well as potential use in bylines as it refers to actual people so should be hand
lettered. In terms of appealing to certain genres a more classic font style could be used for
editorials and byline and to a older audience like classical music, jazz, opera. Whereas in modern
music genres like rap, R&B, pop the hand lettered would be more modern – it is versatile. I
would use hnd lettered for the editorial and bylines.
Strengths:
• Personal touch,
audience feel more
welcome to it
• A variety of styles
to choose from
• Precise to editorial
and bylines
• Can suit any niche
market depending
on which you
choose.
Weakness’
• Only used
sparingly
• Can be difficult
to read for some
16. Magazine: Kerrang issue 1540
Article title: Ace of Waves
Page: 4-5
This particular article is in the form of question and answer and the interviewee is a rock star:
Lemmy. I like the language use throughout this article as they’ve given it a particular theme of
pirates due to the “Ace of waves” tour title and so this has rein enforced words and phrases
such as: “Shiver me timbers”, “Rock n role Pirate”. In my opinion is adds a fun, relaxed,
comical tone to the article which is always enjoyable for the young target audience. In addition,
the language is explicit in that it contains swearing this is admirable as it keeps to the accurate
responses of the interviewee and makes it more realistic as opposed to sugar coated. In addition
it makes it suitable for the target audience and adds another comical element to it. In addition, I
like the language used in the interrogatives in that the interviewer also matches the comical,
fun theme of this Q& A: “ Did you feel like captain lemmy?” This links in with the theme and
is an unusual question making it more interesting to see the response. Also; “Meow.So.What
was it like playing a boat” The onomatopoeia “meow” further expands the comical feel and the
interjection “So” makes the interview more realistic as its portrayed word for word making it
more effective. Furthermore the article itself is a reasonable length for a interview as there is a
lot of content and so makes it a successful interview. Also the variety of interrogatives was
another plus point as feelings, plans, memories, downfalls, positives etc… were covered within
the interview as the audience got to find out as much as possible.
17. Magazine: Kerrang
Article title: Secrets of the lyric books
Page: 2-3
The purpose of this article I’ve chosen is to reveal true meanings and implications behind
parts of lyrics written by the bands covered within the music genre of the magazine. The
article provides the original copy from the lyric book, annotations on what certain lines meant
to them and a summary for each. I like the idea of this article and its format I believe it truly
engages the audience and the noun “secrets” in the title itself automatically draws the readers.
In a way this article is a mix of free flowing and question and answer as the artists explain the
inner meaning to the lyrics and there is general article text too. I find incorporating a mix of
the free flowing and interview style interesting and captivating. I admire the use of annotation
to these images as part of the article it pinpoints the certain areas needed and its incongruity
makes it effective and stand out. I like the freedom of language as explicit language is used
occasionally and the magazine is professional about it and include it since it is suitable due
the age range of teenage onwards. The article layout is quite good as it is dissected into part
sections so each lyric book has its own area, so there is a clear distinction and its easy to read
and follow as well as organised and appealing. There is little writing to the article which can
be a positive where so its not overwhelming and easy to read. In addition, I like the added
touch of including doddles within the article to match the hand written lyric theme – it seta
fun atmosphere which is always good for a potentially young audience.
18. Magazine: Classic Rock
Article title: Nickelback explain the album title
Page:7-8
The main title itself is quite interesting as the use of proper noun “Nickelback” using the band
name as the first word instantly draws attention. The imperative “Explain” is interesting too as
the reader would be increased in knowing the explanation and it hints more then “tell” but isn't
over like “discuss” explain was the right one to use. In comparison to the Kerrang magazine the
language was more formal which can make it more comfortable to read to some as it signifies
respect to both the reader and the artists of interest. I liked that the article included “the album
title” as well as listing the songs within this particular album as it makes sense that the title
involves the album to which is expanded on later. I like how the article included dialogue from
the Nickelback members to where they did what the title said they would. The article contains a
lot of statistical information: “ follow ups to the 2011’s”, “November 17” – enough to impress
and create a nostalgic tone and not too much and so it doesn’t overwhelm or bore the audience. I
also like the image given with this article of a middle shot from a live performance of
Nickelback it engages the audience and make them feel involved within the article.
19. Article Ideas
Interviews on:
• Performances
• Newest
Albums/singles
• Tours
• Their story
Story behind
the making of
the band/artist:
How they
became
interested in
music, how the
band formed…
The latest hits Legends of rock
article - history
News &
gossip on
bands/artist
