Magazine analysis

1. Magazine Analysis
Looking for
Inspiration

2. Covers

3. Pallet: Black, Red, Yellow, White. The overall colour
of this cover is black, which would typically reflect
the level of light in the venue where this artist would
perform. There are then yellow and white pieces of
text placed over the backdrop. The yellow and white
are accentuated via the contras, which brings out the
text and makes in eye catching.
The photo is taken in a studio, this
gives the most control when
editing, it also proves that the artist
is big enough to be able to take part
in a studio shoot. He also looks quite
serious which reflects how he feels
about his music, which is also his
profession.
The fact that the name of the artist is
in the foreground suggests the
anonymity behind this genre of
music, and that rather than being
there for his music, he is there for his
ability to blend other peoples music.
Lots of cover lines to suggest its packed with
content, which helps appeal to a broader
demographic. Placed around the outside to be
efficient with the layout.
Offering freebees helps spread the influence
of the magazine. It also places the magazine
onto a multimedia platform. Many magazines
offer things like free CDs and want you to
visit the website.
Even smaller features of this issue are
listed here, much like the cover lines it
helps interest as many people as
possible so as to increase the size of
the target market. “Plus” is made bold
to attract attention.
The language is concise, which
reflects the style of music this
magazine is trying to sell. Few
words are spoken when this kind
of music is playing because of the
typical volume its played at in
clubs. It also pushes the feeling that
this is a no-nonsense genre that is
all about the music rather than
trying to explain it.
The mast head for the magazine is
not centered, and is clear and easy
to identify, this helps people
spotting it on a shelf. The
recognizable logo catches the
eye, and then the text is inside the
logo to push the clarity even
further.
“172 tunes reviewed” Is
another selling point for the
magazine, showing that you get
a lot of content for your
money, it is placed on its own in
the corner to separate the
feature and make it look like an
article in its self

4. The colours are rainbow-like and white.
The pallet is mainly bright colours with a
broad spectrum. This reflects the
stereotypical colours of the electronic
dance community. The colours in the
backdrop are reminiscent of an old
TV, especially with the red, green and
blue partially covering the splash image.
The white for the masthead contrasts
with avicci’s hair which helps it stand
out.
The fact that “Martin Solveig” is on
the front cover suggests this
magazine is likely to have a cult
following, with only frequent
readers of the magazine or people
with knowledge of the community
knowing who he is. People who
want to know who he is are in some
ways welcomed to pick up the
magazine because they are almost
being told to ‘Say hello to’ him.
A straight to the point description of what the
magazine contains. This is helpful to the casual
passer-by or maybe someone looking for this
kind of magazine. It also shows that the
magazine has a serious, informative side which
you will get your moneys worth from.
Other featured articles on the front
cover, mostly showcasing other bigger
artists so as to interest more people
A smaller article, or a smaller artist
featured in this magazine is below BINGO
PLAYERS. This might be an effort to
publicize smaller artists.
The page layout has 3 main
features to it: The
masthead, the splash
image, and the main cover line.
This routinely draws the eyes
down the page to give the
reader, however temporary, an
idea of the contents of this
issue.
Big main cover line gives immediate information
about the contents of the issue.
This issue is free, this gives the
magazine a chance to widen its
distribution as more people will
pick one up and hold onto
one, maybe even give it a read
and become a regular reader
and buy the next issue.
Other articles wrapped around
the splash image have been
boxed out so they stand out
against the colours at the
back, but still keep within the
pallet. Various fonts have been
used to help differentiate the
articles. Different colours have
been used as well.

5. All the artist going down the left side
of the cover are expected to be read
one after each other, and while it
takes up a large portion of the
cover, it drives home how full the
magazine is with big artists . This
gives the magazine the image that it is
in tune with the high-tier performers
and artists, and that is a selling point.
The splash image covers a portion the
masthead. This gives the impression
that the words “elektro” are there on
stage and are part of the performance.
This can in some ways seem to
heighten their presence in this
particular music scene and therefor
help the magazine’s reputation.
Splash image seems to be taken while the
artist is on stage, he is also smiling. This
creates the impression that this music is
fun. The photo its self appearing to be
taken on stage shows that the magazine is
as close to the music as you can
get, therefor providing the clearest view
on this music scene.
The main article claims to know “The ’Real’
Definition of a Rock Star”. This holds back the
information encouraging the public to have to
buy the issue to find the answer. It also helps
the magazine look like it has a more accurate
view on performing artists.
This “exclusive interview” reflects how the
magazine is also trying to be exclusive. This
passes the magazine as unique, reporting on
the most crucial, yet rare content for their
articles.
The banner above the masthead is there to sum up
the genre of the magazine. It provides people who
are browsing a shelf with an easy way to spot that
genre of magazine. Also if the magazine is behind
another one this banner could still be seen which
heightens the chance of someone picking it up.
The main colours used on the cover
are orange, yellow, white, black, and
different shades of blue from the
splash. The colours blue and orange
contrast fairly well which makes the
cover appear easy on the eyes. The
yellow highlights a key element of the
magazine “premier issue”, to highlight
it as a main feature. The black and
white also contrast well and helps
define the text from the image. There is very little capitalisation and this is a style
chosen throughout the cover. This is perhaps done
to ease how the magazine comes at you, in a way
taking the edge off.

6. Contents Page

7. The list of “features” have alternating
colours to help distinguish the
different stories. Each story also has a
title which briefly describes the
contents of each article, but no page
numbers are present. Possibly so that
the reader reads through all the
articles or flicks through to find the
one they want and therefor take in
more content.
Some pages only have a picture as a
preview, this plays on the readers
curiosity, so they can find out what
the article is about. The images also
spans the various people who will
potentially read this.
The image for page 104 has
women showing their cleavage.
This plays on the male gaze and
pulls in a certain kind of reader.
For those who enjoy tech there is a
picture relating to a tech
article, probably a review. So that’s
there for techy people.
The image for page 033 is a shot from a live
gig, probably a review of the event, this
covers another element of the music
industry and maybe those who couldn’t
make it that night want a recap of what went
down.
These images probably link to articles
reviewing the music its self. Whether it be
an album or a new single, these will be for
people who are reading for the music, rather
than the scene.
The page numbers are laid out as 3 figure numbers for any
page, for example page 33 is instead referred to 033. This is
reminiscent of diode displaying numerical values in a techy
interface, like this.
This pushes the electronic
theme.
Other colours in the pallet include pink, blue, a
dark yellow and a greyer blue. White is the
dominant colour. I think in this case these
colours are there to add a variety and improve
the general appearance.
In terms of composition all
the photos, with the
exception of one are down
the right side of the page. All
the main features of this
page are organized into
columns, this helps guide
the readers sight down the
page, but also allows the
reader to start anywhere on
the page.
This photo might be here because
it is the only one out of the set
which is very casual, no filters or
special lighting. Having it at this
side gives contrast without making
the page look dissonant.

8. Main article is
show by giving it
the largest image
on the page and
giving it a larger
page number.
Backdrop colour is
black, this helps bring out
various colours and
reflects the atmosphere of
the music and the scene
The pallet is only small, with 3
main colours: Black, white and a
yellowish green. The pallet has
been made more concise by
matching some of the text colour
with one of the main colours from
the main image on the page.
Certain articles are made to
standout either with a large image
or an underlined subtitle, “VIP”.
The initials ‘VIP’ also push a sense
of exclusivity.
This article has also been given an
image, and a slightly larger page
number. The image itself probably
doesn’t need to be big because it
catches the eye enough.
This picture shows some
girls smiling and having fun.
This is useful for the
magazine because it gives
the impression that this
music is the most fun to
dance to. It also makes it
appear that girls like this
music, and in some ways
that can attract hopeful
male readers.
The articles in this issue are
displayed down the right, and
information and tracklist for the
free CD are across the bottom. The
two are separated by a line. This
will help distinguish each feature of
the page
Giving a free CD turns the magazine into a multi-
media platform, and maybe even gain a reputation
as a magazine which gives away good
music, which is a selling point.
Web address gives
readers more chances
to gain information
from this particular
outlet.
There are various
different fonts
used on this
page, this makes
the magazine look
like varied and full
of different things.

10. Double Page
Spread

11. Large, bold title
taking up very little of
the overall page space
but still standing out
enough due to it’s
positioning.
Splash image takes up whole page
with the model in the centre. The
filter put onto the photo defines light
and dark colours more clearly giving
the photo a professional finish and at
the same time works with the
white/grey colour pallet of the pages.
Text is placed over a white masking
to help the black text stand out better
against an otherwise grey backdrop
with little black dots which could
potentially hide some letters.
Text over here is a
different typeface to
the text on the other
page, this may have
been done to separate
the different sub-
features of the
article, and to add a
sense of variety.
Large first letter of
this section draws the
eyes towards it and
helps guide the
reader through the
article in the right
order.
Face of the model has been offset so it
is not split by the crease in the middle.
Double page has a
large white border
around all it.
Layering of the
splash image over
the boarder gives
impression that the
model is less flat on
the page.