3. Mast head: I have super imposed the main image to appear
in front of the mast head in the same way other magazines
have, shown in the examples.
The typography of the mast head also uses a drop shadow to
make it stand out.
Uses
4. Examples where cover
lines are made up of
two colours.
Uses:
The typography of the cover lines uses simple, minimalistic
fonts, following the forms and conventions of alternative
pop/indie music magazines.
Development:
It is usual to see each cover line made up of two colours,
however, in order to fit the house style of a simple,
minimalistic music magazine, I only used one. But overall, two
colours are used.
Cover Lines
5. Tag: I have used a tag, a form and convention used by
magazines in order to engage the reader’s interest in a story,
showing that the magazine has high compliments.
Bar code: I have placed a bar code, price and issue number in
the bottom right hand corner.
Uses
From top to
bottom (left): Q
magazine, NME
and Rolling Stone.
(Right): Billboard,
Q magazine.
6. By using the appropriate lexicon of words a form and
convention used, corresponding to the genre, I allowed
consumers to recognize and fully surround themselves with
the genre of the music magazine. This enables gratifications
such as identifying with the genre of music and being
educated about current topics in the music industry. It also
serves to entertain and initiate social interaction, as people
who identify with alternative pop would be able to discuss
these topics with other people of the like.
Uses
7. Examples all use a
medium close and a
direct mode of
address through eye
contact.
Main image
Uses:
The main image is a medium close up of the main artist
featured in my magazine. This image has been edited on
iPhoto and Photoshop, similarly, to how other music
magazines would, in order to create a more aesthetically
pleasing picture.
A direct mode of address is relayed through the use of eye
contact, this increases the chances of engaging with the
consumer and ultimately, in them buying the magazine.
8. The splash has been positioned at the bottom of the
cover, in front of the main image. This challenges the
forms and conventions, adding emphasis as well creating
an aesthetically pleasing composition, fitting well with
my magazine’s house style and brand image.
Challenges
10. Legitimacy is relayed through conforming to the codes
and convention of using various images of different
artists in different scenes using different props.
Furthermore, page numbers, by lines and issue number
also strengthen the professional image.
Uses
11. Brand image (Uses)
Subscription box: I created a subscription box, (for both digital
and printed media), contributing to the magazine’s brand
image.
Colour palette: I carried over the colour palette of blue,
orange, black and white to my contents page.
Edited images: All of the images are photoshopped in order to
create an aesthetically pleasing piece of text.
All of these points help to forge a house style and this case,
also contributes to the magazine’s brand image.
12. Menu: comprised of two pages instead of one, breaking
the forms and conventions. This portrays a more creative
and more content filled music magazine, appealing to
the target audience. Q magazine also breaks this
convention for the same reason.
Typography: the format of ‘contents’ challenges
mainstream practices of a linear title. This again provides
an alternative and creative look, appealing to the target
audience whom agrees with these ideals.
Challenges
14. Uses
Pull Quotes: to entice readers as well as highlight key points.
This also breaks up the large text and makes it easier to read.
Main image: takes up the entirety of the second page. This is
used by magazines both inside and outside of the music genre
to create a sophisticated and effortless touch to the double page
spread.
Three columns: to create a uniformed structure that would be
recognised by the consumer I used three columns. This is
structure is widely used throughout all genres of music
magazines, for example, Q, Rock Sound and Billboard.
By lines: In order to add authenticity, I added by lines giving
credit to the author of the article and the photographer to took
the image of my artist.
DPS from Vogue
DPS from Billboard
15. Colour palette: I have used black and white which can be
found throughout the rest of my magazine so it could be
argued that I’m partially continuing with my colour
palette. However in many magazines, I’ve seen many
double page spreads that cater to only the artists
themselves, meaning that the colour palette and
typography doesn’t match with the rest of the music
magazine, as its primary purpose is to portray the artist’s
‘brand image’.
Developments
DPS from NME, uses pink instead
of the usual red, black and white to
illustrate the artist’s style.
16. I have maintained a house style throughout the magazine by keeping a colour palette (of blue, orange,
black and white)and layout, which contributed to creating a brand identity.
By using a colour palette throughout the magazine itself, adheres to the codes and conventions.
However the colours themselves are quite unusual, illustrating the ‘alternative pop’ that challenges
mainstream ideals, and in this case, aesthetics.
Images have been taken in different scenes, using different props and artists and have then been edited.
This makes it seem that these images have been taken in a studio, in the same way a professional music
magazine does.
The artists are wearing clothing that is simple, fashionable, but different from the mainstream trends. For
example the double denim worn by the ‘Queen of Hearts’.
Overall uses
