1. The masthead of this magazine stands out from the rest of
the page as it uses a black and white, which are
contrasting colours. This means the audience will be well
aware of which brand of magazine they are reading. The
font used for the masthead is signature to their brand as
the eroded, jagged style of font is unique to their
magazine. This punk/rock style of font corresponds with
with the genre of the magazine, so the audience can
determine the type of features within the magazine
instantly. The masthead is behind the dominant image so
it does not take the attention away from the main
attraction of the magazine. Also, this could imply that
artist is bigger than the magazine itself.
The cover lines on this magazine have the main title of what is
involved highlighted and more information about it underneath,
this gives the reader an insight of what is involved in the
magazine without giving too much away. The colours used, stick
to the colour scheme of the magazine, and make the cover lines
stand out whilst not taking attention away from the dominant
image.
“Kerrang” magazine has used a dominant image central to the
frame of the magazine, in order to make it more visible to the
audience and therefore attract their attention. The style of the
artist; their hair colour being bright, and their style of clothes
being mostly leather implies that the artist is from a punk rock
music background. The facial expression of the artist is quite
natural with a half smile/smirk and, due to the eye level camera
angle, he is providing the audience with direct mode of address;
giving the audience the impression that there is something to
look forward to in the magazine about their band. In addition to
the artists face, their body language is also providing direct
mode of address, by pointing at the audience. This makes the
audience feel more attracted and connected with the magazine.
The magazine has also used a blank background in the image,
this could mean that they are giving away no information on the
front cover so the viewer will have to read the article to find out
more or that they don’t want to draw attention away once again
from the features. The only thing in the background s a shadow
to the bottom left of the page, which could imply a dark past for
the artist; linking to the sub-heading “danger days”.
The plug on Kerrang uses the same font and colour scheme as
the rest of the magazine however is highlighted with a red circle,
suggesting it has some sort of importance to the magazine. It
also attracts the readers eye as it is a different design (circle) to
the rest of the magazine. Another plug of the magazine is the
free covers and posters given away with the magazine which
suggests that the audience will be younger teens.
The main sell-line of the magazine is the name of the
band, this makes the reader well aware of who the main
article will be about. The magazine further shows the
importance of this band by using the same font as what is
on the bands album and the ‘spider’ symbol in the ‘o’ of
“Romance.” This shows the magazine is going to have the
main focus on the band as it is the only font that has been
changed and adapted due to the artist or band.
The sub-head expands on the main sell-line of this
magazine, it is also highlighted in a different colour to
all the other text linking it to the importance of the
main sell-line. The background colour of this text is red
which has connotations of danger; linking it to the
‘danger days’ aspect of the sub-head.in addition to this
the alliteration used makes the term “danger days”
more memorable to the audience and therefore
makes them more likely to ready the story. On this
sub-head the magazine has wrote ‘the inside story’
which does not give much away about the article but
makes the reader want to keep reading and open the
magazine.
The target audience for this magazine is mainly male teenagers to mid
twenties (15-25) based on the font covers text and the format. The
cluttered layout suggests a younger element along with the bold colours.
The colour scheme of this magazine includes many contrasting, bright
colours like: red, yellow black and white which create a very bold
front page. This makes the magazine stand out on the shelf from
other magazine as it will be the first thing the reader sees.
2. The colour scheme of this page mainly consists of red,
white and black. These colours have a classical theme
as they are often associated with older images. The
connotations which are presented with these colours
are purity, darkness, love and hate; by combining these
colours, and therefore themes, the magazine appears to
imply that they are a classic magazine that features
stories ranging from love to despair and destruction to
redemption in the world of music.
The contents page has features filling the entire left
hand side of the page, in a column format. This clean
and clearly displayed format implies that the magazine
is being targeted towards an older audience rather
than young teens. The features also include an “Oasis
Special” which is presented in a totally different font
and colouring. By using the gold colouring and thinner
text of the page numbers and font, it implies that
these stories are special, much like the title states.
The dominant denotation is of a band named the
“The Courteeners.” It is clear that they are featured
in a story as there is an anchor which includes the
page number . On the image the band is featured
on a hill which could imply that the band is rising
above others or that they think they are higher than
everyone else. Combining this with the camera
angle that makes the audience appear to be looking
up at the band, it further suggests this sense of a
superior nature.
The contents page also features the masthead which
creates synergy throughout the magazine. The running
head, heading and some essential information, such as
the date and issue number, are presented in a black
block of colour across the page top of the page. The
pugs are adorned with the information already
featured on the front cover. Also shown in this bar are
links to social media and the magazines website.
This magazine also features an “Every Month”
segment which is clearly separated by the title
backed in solid red. These additions feature plugs
that may entice or be a bonus for buying the
magazine in the audiences opinions.
Q Magazine also shows a slug in the form of their
review. The feature has a sub head, “the worlds
biggest and best music guide” which, despite being
bias, shows to the audience that this is a magazine
that takes pride in their features and is established
enough to be considered the best for reviews. The
sub image of a male, Nick Cave, shows him in a suit
which makes the audience think he knows what he
is talking about as a suit has connotations of being
professional and educated.
3. This article is framed in a boarder that resembles spotlights which
have connotations of stardom and fame. This implies that the artist is
used to being in the spot light when you combine this with the fact
that the dominant image of the artist over laps the spotlight boarder.
The style of this article is question and answer which
creates a much more laid back and casual feel. One can
infer that the target audience for this article will be old
teens as the article isn't as detailed and worded
difficultly compared to the typical written article.
On this double page spread article
the dominant image is featured on
the entire left side page. The
denotation of Davey Havok is taken
with three point lighting which
creates a glossy image, typically
featured in magazines. The way in
which the artist is presented: with
tattoos, messy hair and unshaven
face, suggests that he may be from
either a rock or punk genre of
music as these are connotations of
these genres. Judging by his facial
expression he is being portrayed as
‘moody’, meaning he may be about
to express something he is not
pleased about. In addition to this
the artists body language, with his
hands assumingly in his pockets
and the tilt/slouch to his body,
gives of a “casual” vibe or sense of
relaxation. This creates binary
opposition between his face and
body. The singers image also
shows iconography by him wearing
a cross around his neck, which is
may suggest some sort of religion
or belief he may have however,
typically this genre often uses
religious symbols as more of a
fashion statement rather than to
represent their beliefs. His body
language is slouched and clothing
is casual suggesting he is relaxed
with the situation.
The article title is based on the
colour scheme of white and pink,
highlighted in black so the writing
stands out against the
background. Furthermore the
colours used are stereotypically
feminine meaning the article
could interest more females. The
word ‘absolutely’ is bigger than
the rest of the title, this, in my
opinion, is to intrigue the
audience to read the whole article
and find out what the artist means
by this. The strapline, is in a
smaller text to the title so it
doesn't take the effect away from
it, however it is still bigger than
the actual typed article. This is so
the reader finds out more
information about the article but
at the same time too much isn’t
revealed so the audience has to
carry on reading. The magazine
still sticks to the feminine colour
scheme for the strapline. Both the
title and strapline are situated on
a slant, the side closest to the
artist tilted further down than the
other. This particular effect gives
off the sense that the words are
coming from the artists mouth,
which they are as this is a pull
quote, in both a literal and visual
sense.
This double page spread includes a
website for the magazine which allows the
audience to gain more information on
artists and “Kerrang” itself.
