similar product analysis

1. RESEARCH – SIMILAR
PRODUCT ANALYSIS
BY HOLLY ETTY

2. Layout – On double page spread articles it is usually set out in ordered columns so it’s easy for the reader to read and get the key information on the article. This adheres to the codes and conventions of a magazine as all magazines, regardless of genre, will have articles .
Also it will be generally informal so the reader feels comfortable reading the information and wants to read more as they don’t feel like they’re being forced to. Moreover double page spreads will almost always have a capital letter/bold figure at the beginning of the
article; however not only does NME have one at the beginning of the article but also at the beginning of a new paragraph as it is in a ‘10 commandment’ style within the article. This will all be in the same colour scheme as seen here, its pink and black. The colours will
usually be colour picked from items of clothing the artist is wearing or colours that correspond with the genre and personality of the artist and their music. Furthermore as the double page spread will usually be about the artist featured on the front cover or one of the
main articles featured in the contents page. The colour scheme will most likely continue throughout the front cover, contents page and double page spread, most of the time with 2/3 colours to adhere to magazine codes and conventions. However, NME have
approached this differently as they have given Nicki Minaj her own colour sche4me in order to correspond with her personality and style.
Short introductory paragraph– These give the reader a brief description of what the article
is going to be about. Usually they will include the key/most exciting information to make the
reader want to read more. They will usually include information about the artist themself,
their music and what they have achieved or are bringing to the industry. This is in order to
grab the readers attention and make them continue reading the page(s) to find out more
about the artist/their music.
Large image of the artist – The picture is of the artist Niki Minaj in her usual and recognisable
attire which would have been similar to the styling in her music videos/album covers. She looks
very sarcastic and sassy in this image to represent her attitude and personality. This engages the
reader as they will aspire to be like her because she is well known and seen as a very crazy and
individual artist who is comfortable in her own skin and doesn’t hide her true personality. The
background colour of this main image is a pale pink/beige colour which helps to draw all attention
to Nicki and so look bold and memorable – especially as she is in black and white clothing with a
very loud pattern and colourful jewellery which is a juxtaposition of the pale and plain pink
background. Pink has connotations of femininity, Barbie and playfulness which shows NME is very
clever in how they used colours to portray Nicki’s personality without the reader having to read
the article – especially as she describes herself as Barbie in her alter ego. She is dressed in a skin-
tight bodysuit therefore representing her character and personality as someone comfortable and
confident in their own skin. This could also be seen as a slightly provocative outfit as it accentuates
her curves, adhering to Laura Mulvey’s male gaze theory (the camera is always male and
sexualises women). She is wearing very bold makeup on her lips cheeks and eyes and these are to
draw attention to these parts of her face and this also adheres to the male gaze theory as eyes
and lips are the most sexual/alluring parts of a woman's face. It is also the typical ‘Barbie –esque’
makeup we would associate with Nicki as we have seen it before in many of her music
videos/album covers. I also think its important to note that her ring says ‘Icon’ in bold letters and
this suggests she is an icon to her audience and fans and that she is proud to be one and wants to
show it off to the readers of NME. She is in a very upright sstance looking directly at the camera
with a questioning look on her face. This highlights she has pride and authority over people as she
isupright and is looking to the readers as if she is questioning ‘what are you looking at?’. This
makes the reader want to read the full article to find out more about Nicki Minaj.
Page numbers - The page numbers adhere to the codes and conventions of magazines as they
have the numbers at the bottom corner of the page with the word ‘page’ next to it.. They are
there to show the reader what the pages listed contain and what number they have to go to, to
find it. The colour of the numbers follow the colour scheme and house style of NME as they are in
black and are in bold font.
Pull quotes- This article does not have any pull quotes however they would usually be seen in double page spreads to grab the readers information. The pull quotes would
usually be from the most exciting parts of the interview.
Large heading- This is of the quote ‘The Gospel According to Nicki Minaj’. This is in block capitals in
the colours black and pink which adheres to the colour scheme. The word ‘Gospel’ is emphasised as it
portrays Nicki as holy and influential in guiding people and her fans with how to live their life. This also
connects with her alter ego ‘Roman’. ‘Nicki Minaj’ is next to the image of her therefore connecting
them and describing who she is as well as being saint/goddess like. This makes the reader want to read
on and find out what her ‘Gospel’ includes.
New media – This is usually on magazines so that their audience can see new information on Twitter/Facebook before magazine releases or to get new information. However in this issue NME doesn’t have new media
information but is likely to have it in other issues.

3. Layout – On double page spread articles it is usually set out in ordered columns so it’s easy for the reader to read and get the key information on the article. This adheres to the codes and conventions of a magazine as all magazines, regardless of genre, will have articles .
Also it will be generally informal so the reader feels comfortable reading the information and wants to read more as they don’t feel like they’re being forced to. Moreover double page spreads will almost always have a capital letter/bold figure at the beginning of the
article. Kerrang also chose to draw attention to the questions asked in the article. This will all be in the same colour scheme as seen here, its pink, white and black. The colours will usually be colour picked from items of clothing the artist is wearing or colours that
correspond with the genre and personality of the artist and their music. Furthermore as the double page spread will usually be about the artist featured on the front cover or one of the main articles featured in the contents page. The colour scheme will most likely
continue throughout the front cover, contents page and double page spread, most of the time with 2/3 colours to adhere to magazine codes and conventions.
Large image of the artist – The picture is of the artist Davey Havok in his usual and recognisable
attire which would have been similar to the styling in his music videos/album covers. He looks
fairly relaxed and comfortable in this image to represent his laid-back attitude and personality.
This engages the reader as they will aspire to be like him because he is well known and seen as a
very carefree and individual artist who is comfortable in her own skin and doesn’t hide his true
personality. The background colour of this main image is a pale silver/grey colour which helps to
draw all attention to Davey and to look bold and able to stand out – especially as he is in black and
white clothing with picture on his shirt partnered with tattoo sleeves. He is dressed in a fairly
loose white shirt and what we’d guess to be jeans from the positioning of his hands in pockets -
representing his character and personality as someone comfortable and relaxed in their own skin.
He is in a relaxed but upright stance looking slightly down at the camera with a questioning look
on his face. This highlights he has authority and respect and is questioning to the reader ‘do they
respect him’. This makes the reader want to read the full article to find out more about Davey
Havok as he looks quite interesting and mysterious with his tattoos and messy hair and also his
stretcher and religious necklace.
Page numbers - The page numbers adhere to the codes and conventions of magazines as they
have the numbers at the bottom corner of the page with the word ‘page’ next to it.. They are
there to show the reader what the pages listed contain and what number they have to go to, to
find it. The colour of the numbers follow the colour scheme and house style of Kerrang as they are
in white and are in bold font in front of a grey background.
Large heading and pull quote- This is of the quote “Do I ever have a casual Friday? Absolutely!”. to
grab the readers information. The pull quotes would usually be from the most exciting parts of the
interview and show off an artists personality. It is in block capitals in the colours black and pink which
adheres to the colour scheme. The word ‘Absolutely’ is emphasised as it portrays Davey's relaxed and
confident character. This makes the reader want to read on and find out how he can be so relaxed.
New media – This is usually on magazines so that their audience can see new information on
Twitter/Facebook before magazine releases or to get new information. However in this issue
Kerrang doesn’t have new media information but is likely to have it in other issues. Despite
this it does have the website at the top where it says you can go there for all of the ‘latest
news’.
Short introductory paragraph– These give the reader a brief description of what the article
is going to be about. Usually they will include the key/most exciting information to make the
reader want to read more. They will usually include information about the artist themselves,
their music and what they have achieved or are bringing to the industry. This is in order to
grab the readers attention and make them continue reading the page(s) to find out more
about the artist/their music. However Kerrang have included this paragraph into the article
as a whole as opposed to separating it, despite having a small paragraph under the pull
quote.

4. Layout – On double page spread articles it is usually set out in ordered columns so it’s easy for the reader to read and get the key information on the article. This adheres to the codes and conventions of a magazine as all magazines, regardless of genre, will have articles .
Also it will be generally informal so the reader feels comfortable reading the information and wants to read more as they don’t feel like they’re being forced to. Moreover double page spreads will almost always have a capital letter/bold figure at the beginning of the
article; however not only does Q have one at the beginning of the article but also at the beginning of a new paragraph with the letters ‘S’ and ‘I’. Moreover they have also used the letter to start the article as the background for the article. This draws attention to Lady
Gaga’s name as well as the image of her and what is in the article about her. This will all be in the same colour scheme as seen here, its red, white and black. The colours will usually be colour picked from items of clothing the artist is wearing or colours that correspond
with the genre and personality of the artist and their music. Furthermore as the double page spread will usually be about the artist featured on the front cover or one of the main articles featured in the contents page. The colour scheme will most likely continue
throughout the front cover, contents page and double page spread, most of the time with 2/3 colours to adhere to magazine codes and conventions.
Short introductory paragraph– These give the reader a brief description of what the article
is going to be about. Usually they will include the key/most exciting information to make the
reader want to read more. They will usually include information about the artist themselves,
their music and what they have achieved or are bringing to the industry. This is in order to
grab the readers attention and make them continue reading the page(s) to find out more
about the artist/their music. However Q have included this paragraph into the article as a
whole as opposed to separating it.
Large image of the artist – The picture is of the artist Lady Gaga in her usual and recognisable ,
unique and crazy attire which would have been similar to the styling in her music videos/album
covers. She looks very seductive and sexualised in this image to represent her promiscuous
attitude and personality, previously seen in some of her music videos. This engages the reader as
they will aspire to be like her because she is well known and seen as a very crazy and individual
artist who is comfortable in her own skin and doesn’t hide her true personality. The background
colour of this main image is white which helps to draw all attention to Gaga and to look bold and
memorable – especially as she is in a black and white/sepia effect which still helps her to stand out
from the background as her skin is more of a shadowed colour. Black and white/sepia has
connotations of sultry, sexual and classy individuals which shows Q is not only sticking to their
house style but is very clever in how they used colours to portray Gaga’s personality without the
reader having to read the article – especially as she portrays herself in the same way. She is naked
with her hands holding her breasts and the chrome chain going from her neck to her breasts.
Therefore representing her character and personality as someone comfortable and confident in
their own skin. It also draws attention to her naked body and this could also be seen as a highly
provocative outfit as it accentuates her breasts and hands, adhering to Laura Mulvey’s male gaze
theory (the camera is always male and sexualises women). She is wearing very bold makeup on
her eyes and this are to draw attention to that parts of her face and this also adheres to the male
gaze theory as eyes are one of the most sexual/alluring parts of a woman's face. Her lips are also
fairly bold though not in colour but in the way they are lined and the fact that her mouth is open.
This is a typical seductive and sexual stance that you would expect to see in films, music
magazines/videos It is also the typical sultry yet fairly simplistic makeup we’d expect to see in her
music videos. Moreover, her hair is styled to look messy and roughed up as if she’d been in a
sexual encounter and this further sexualises her as well as making her look sassy and seductive.
She is in a very upright stance looking directly at the camera with her head slightly lifted and fairly
closed and innocent body language. This juxtaposes her outfit as it is very revealing yet she
reserves herself by using her hands. Her face is in a very typically sexual and alluring stance as she
is looking down on the reader through slightly closed/’come to bed’ eyes. This also adheres to the
male gaze and links in with the outfit and makeup she has. It also makes her look very confident
and like a sexualised independent woman which will appeal to Q’s male target audience as well as
the female skew as it could be an aspirational image for them. This makes the reader want to read
the full article to find out more about Lady Gaga.
Page numbers - The page numbers adhere to the codes and conventions of magazines as they
have the numbers at the bottom corner of the page with the word ‘page’ next to it.. They are
there to show the reader what the pages listed contain and what number they have to go to, to
find it. The colour of the numbers follow the colour scheme and house style of Q as they are in
white in front of a black background and are in bold font.
Pull quotes- This article does not have any pull quotes however they would usually be seen in double page spreads to grab the readers information. The pull quotes would
usually be from the most exciting parts of the interview.
Large heading- This is of the quote ‘Lady Gaga’. ‘Gaga’ is in block capitals in black which adheres to
the colour scheme. This makes the reader want to read on and find out about Gaga.
New media – This is usually on magazines so that their audience can see new information on Twitter/Facebook before magazine releases or to get new information. However in this issue Q doesn’t have new media
information but is likely to have it in other issues.