The magazine Mixmag targets young adults aged 15-25 who enjoy dance and club music. It has a laidback style with minimalist designs and typography to appear fresh and current. While the front cover is light with negative space, the contents page is darker with many pictures, showing the magazine's varied demographic and carefree, unique style that appeals to its readers.

1. Magazine Analysis –
‘Mixmag’
KATIE WINN

2. Title-
The title 'Mixmag' creates a strong brand identity as it
sounds rhythmic, making it clear to the reader that it is a music
magazine, this is reiterated by the word 'mix' as it has
connotations of music and diversity. It helps to create a laid
back tone as it is simple and relaxed, presenting the idea that
the magazine isn't too intense. The title also suggests that the
magazine has a young demographic as it is made up of
abbreviations, which is generally quite a young trend.
Masthead-
The masthead is displayed in a young, playful typography
which adds to the clubbing, dance vibes the title itself gives off,
this is effective as it is appealing to the demographic of middle
class men and women between the age of 15 and 25. The
masthead is a bold, eye-catching purple which captures young
peoples attention as it is exciting and interesting, this
establishes a fun, energetic mode of address which is what
club and dance music creates. The style of the writing is also
exciting as despite it being a simplistic font, it is current and
refreshing.
Front Cover Analysis

3. Featurearticlephotograph-
The feature article photograph follows conventions as it is a mediumclose-up that
gives information about the contents of the magazine. The photograph is central
on the page, making it look professional and interesting. The picture, despite
being male is significantly genderneutralas the colours aren't sexualised,
revealing information about it's mixed gender demographic. The silver rings on
the subject's fingers connoteluxury, allowing the consumer to denote the general
class of it's demographic, which is the highest end of the middle class spectrum.
The subject's casual attire gives the magazine a laid back modeof addressas it is
relaxed and the light, neutral colour of it reiterates this. The cover star is making
eye contact with the camera to suggest he is interested and of an equal level,
however his body language which involves him covering his face suggests he is
somewhat reserved and conserved.
Puff-
Mixmag uses a puffwhich helps to boost the status of the magazine. the puff is
written in a somewhat serious font which makes the statement seem
more believable, encouraging the reader to buy it. The typographyof the puff is
also capitalized to draw attention to it, which is effective as it means the
statement is acknowledged. The conventional positioning of the puff also aids in
capturing the reader, as it is placed above the masthead, which is one of the first
things the reader sees, this ensures that it captivates the reader. Additionally, the
wording of the font is effective as it uses a superlative, boosting the magazines
status further.
Front Cover Analysis continued

4. Cover line-
The cover line is positioned in the top left hand corner of the page, immediately
attracting the reader as it is where their eyes are drawn to. The cover line contrasts
with the plugs included on the front cover making it stand out further. The language
used in the cover line is intriguing as it anticipates the "return of Loco Dice",
encouraging the reader to read the article. The typography in the cover line is all
either bold or underlined which connotes importance, making the reader attentive
and interested in reading further. The basic language used suggests that the reader
is care-free and laid back.
Plugs-
The plugs on the front cover are unconventional as they are generally supposed to
fill up negative space, whereas they leave space around them, however they
still fulfil their role in providing information about the contents of the magazine,
advertising individual articles to the reader. The typography of the plugs connotes
importance as similarly to the cover line they are written either in bold or
underlined, this creates the idea that it is imperative that they are read. The plugs
follow convention as they are flushed left and flushed right which means they do
not obstruct they readers view of the feature article photograph, this shows that
they are less important than the main article, however they are still interesting and
of enough significance to be placed on the front cover. The colour and font of the
plugs makes them easy to read and enables them to stand out.
Front Cover Analysis continued

5. Contents Page Analysis
The focal point of the contents
page is the pictures as they are
positioned in the centre of the
page. They are large and
colourful to help sell the
magazine and advertise the
good quality of the contents of
the magazine. This would be
appealing to an audience as it
ensures they have an
understanding of what’s inside
the magazine.
The page numbers are very large
ad clear, in a very legible
typography to make it easy for
the reader to see them. They
are placed on slightly
transparent contrasting
backgrounds which make them
even easier to read, without
obstructing the background
image.
The title is positioned in the top
left hand corner of the magazine,
immediately drawing the readers
attention, this ensures it is clear
what the page is and what its
purpose is. The typography of the
title is quirky and interesting
which reveals how the magazine is
funky and current. Despite being
unusual, it is still legible and easy
to understand, adding to the
aesthetic appeal of the page.
The text is positioned along the
sides of the pages to provide
additional information for
anybody who is interested, whilst
not taking the readers attention
away from the pictures, which a
the prominent part of the page.
The typography of the text is
simplistic, making it easy to read
and understand, however, the
main points/titles of each page
are written in bold to capture
attention and make them stand
out.

6. Contents Page Analysis continued
The contents page follows a
monochromatic colour scheme,
with pops of colour in the picture,
this makes the pictures stand out
more and ensures the writing
contrasts with the background so
it is legible to the reader.
Unconventionally, the colour
scheme of the contents page isn’t
the same as the front cover’s, this
means that it doesn't follow a
house style, making it slightly
unprofessional. However, this
reveals that it has a carefree, laid
back brand identity.
There are a variety of pictures
shown on the contents page,
relating to the title ‘Mixmag’
as it shows that there are a
variety of genres inside, and a
varied demographic, meaning
that it will appeal to a large
peripheral target audience.
The main two pictures appeal
to be taken at festival,
however during very different
experiences, this shows how
exciting and varied the
magazine is, whilst establishing
a vague genre.
However, the pictures
underneath contrast with
these, as they are posed
pictures that have a sepia filter
to make them look classic and
authentic, showing the
magazines diversity and
individuality.

7. Summary
From the front cover, the audience gets the impression that the magazine is fresh and current,
as it is minimalistic and laidback, this suggests that the demographic of the magazine is young
adults between the age of 15 and 25 who have a somewhat disposable income and enjoy
dance/club music, and also share an interest in festivals and partying. The magazine doesn't
follow a house style as the front cover is very light and has a lot of negative space, whereas, the
contents page is very dark and filled up with pictures, this suggests that the demographic is
somewhat varied and suggests that the typical reader would be carefree and unique, like the
magazines style.