1. The masthead design of
really stands out from other music
magazine headlines and is recognisable; allowing the reader to instantly distinguish
the publication from others. This particular headline is extremely effective in
representing the genre of rock and heavy metal music as it is effortlessly cool and
grungy. Through using the distinctive contemporary and up-to-date typeface (on the
front cover, double page spread and contents page), Kerrang maintains a symbiotic
link throughout. The font in the masthead is given a dishevelled torn facade adding
to the harsh sound of rock music. The headline also appears to be shattered like
glass. When the phrase ‘shattered’ is brought up it can have many different notions;
it could show to the reader that the publication can never be fixed into what society
believes to be perfect (essentially it will never be the same as any other type of
music magazine just to fit in.) Or it could mean the state in which the musicians
featured are in; they are ‘shattered’ from producing such an individualistic sound
when it comes to their music. The font used is simple this is an excellent way of
producing a masculine and bold vibe. Due to the magazine’s target audience being
male it is evident that they want to attract men, thus they will choose a font that
males can identify with and recognise immediately from the sea of other music
magazines. The colors used are white and black; they are usually seen as
contrasting colors, white connotates innocence and black sadness and evil. Through
combining these two colors from opposite sides of the color spectrum, Kerrang
becomes a one of a kind magazine that represents iconic rock and heavy metal
music. This elevates Kerrang’s status as no other magazine has successfully
achieved to do so in the past.
Is another example where the headline has been used to draw in its target
audience. Due to its simplicity, Q holds an advantage over other music magazines
as it will be more identifiable when trying to purchase. The red color is used to bring
the text to the foreground therefore it can be said to be acting as an accent color to
stimulate the readership to make quick decisions, promoting quick impulse buys.The

2. masthead is not comprised of an elaborate design with an overly complicated
typeface. This symbolises the nature of ‘Q’s’ target audience, as males they are to
the point and simplistic in their approach to many things. By having a simple
masthead, it would appeal to them more. Essentially simplicity in this case is not
boring or dull it is inspiring and fulfilling.
further proves that simplicity is key to drawing in the targeted audience
as the colors as well as the typeface is extremely humble and modest appearance
wise. What also reflects this masculinity is the bold uppercase typeface (similar to Q
and Kerrang), it resembles the dominance that males so often desire to have, it
reflects confidence as well as masculinity.
I’ve decided to
use the ‘Tele-marines’ font from www.dafont.com as I feel it represents the indie rock
genre perfectly. It’s effortlessly cool in appearance and stands out with the use of
the color red. I chose for the font to be white with a red outline opposed to black with
an outline as white portrays a youthful innocence, when it is compared with the word
‘Maverick’ which means to be a nonconforming rebel. It is an obvious oxymoron that
the targeted audience, in a sense will understand the intentional irony. Whereas the
hind of red suggests a mischievous nature. It also draws the reader in as it
promotes impulse decisions. The font directly states that this publication is aimed
towards males, as it is extremely simple and masculine. By using this font I believe
that Maverick will have its own individual brand identity that reflects its style, making
it easily recognisable by the target audience. I feel that this font will be effective as
usually the front covers of indie rock magazines feature the artists in outdoor
locations by making it white it will stand out significantly from the greens and blues in
the surrounding areas.