Existing Product Analysis

Tamsin George

Existing Textual Product Analysis
- Media AS

The colour scheme used is FRONT COVER #1 The photograph used for
black, white and red. These the front cover is an un-
colours have been chosen posed style image. Liam
to appeal to a bold and looks very casual and this
slightly alternative photo shows his cool side.
audience. The colours are The black and white is in
all flat and solid which give keeping with the black,
the magazine a clean and white and red theme too. It
crisp feel. also relates to an older
style image which could be
because Liam wants to be
On the front cover the like John Lennon (also
picture dominates it, this is shown by the glasses he is
so the reader is captured by wearing). A high contrast
who is on the front cover, has been used which makes
and then want to read the photo have a
more about it on the inside professional look,
pages. reminding us of his
stardom.

The writing style is short
and to the point. This is to
draw in the reader and so The fonts used are all bold
they can tell easily what is and block like, this shows a
featuring in the magazine. male dominated audience
For example “KASABIAN: because if it was female
HYDE PARK IS CALLING” is the magazine is more likely
short tag line that tells the to use for feminine
reader the topic of the associated fonts like
article however it has also Bradley script.
been designed to hook the
reader by suggesting that
there is something new
happening that we should The overall look of the magazine is bold and the simple colours give it a
be reading about. chic edge, making it come across as an upmarket magazine.

This is the masthead and is written in a bold red font.
Red is usually the colour that means ATTENTION, and by The writing style on the
FRONT COVER #2
using red it captures the users attention. front cover is short quotes
or statements that are
designed to hook the
The overall look of the reader. “ARE YOU READY
front cover is busy, but FOR US THEN?” is a direct
bold and easy to look at. statement talking directly
to the reader, making them
feel like the magazine has
A colour photograph has been made for us as
been used for this front individuals. The writing is
cover, by using colour it very informative and un-
shows that the band are descript showing that the
current and bringing target audience want to
something new to the know information and get
music culture. It is a posed straight to the point. This
photograph and Alex suggests a male dominated
Turner is wearing audience and females are
sunglasses to keep some often associated with a
mystery and to create a more flowery, gossip like
barrier between him and writing style.
the reader, reinforcing his
stardom and distance
from the average person. Like on the first front cover,
The composition of the the photograph of the band
photo tells us that Alex dominates the majority of
Turner is the leader of the the page. This tells you
band, by putting him in instantly which band is
front of the other band featuring in the current
members we know who is issue and by keeping the
in charge and of the most text limited the reader
interest. wants to buy the magazine
so they can read further
The fonts used are the same as on the previous front cover, by into the tag/headlines.
keeping continuity between issues the magazine is easily
recognizable and still appeals to the same male dominated This is a second NME front cover that uses a red and black colour
audience. Red font is usually associated with danger, so by using scheme. This makes the magazine easily recognizable to the regular
this all over the page it gives it an edgey feel. readers and also appeals to a wide range of people.

The photograph used is meant to
This is the Masthead. FRONT COVER #3 look natural and un posed, giving
off the impression that Florence
is a relaxed kind of person. It uses
soft tones and colours to match
These are all cover lines, they are her feminine image and the
all stories within the magazine feminine look that the magazine
however do not take the main is going for in this issue.
focus, they just make the reader
aware of other reading within the The writing style is still short and
magazine other than the main informative, telling you what is in
headline. the rest of the magazine. This is
to keep the usual audience
interested, still keeping the male
The overall look of this front audience hooked. “THE GREATEST
cover is gentle and feminine. This TRACK OF THE LAST 15 YEARS
theme is compiled by use of REVEALED”. This tagline tells us
colours, font and the photograph that it has information that we
of the female (Florence) as the want to know, but the only way
main topic. of finding out is by buying and
reading the magazine. This clever
technique is used to boost sales,
The text to picture ratio still making the reader feel the need
remains the same as the previous to be in-the-know.
front covers that I looked at, the
picture dominates the majority of The font used for the word
the cover. “Florence” is in italics, which has
a more feminine and gentle feel
This front cover uses a slight compared to the rest of the
variation on the colour schemes writing used on the front cover.
usually used. It’s less obtrusive This is because it is targeting the
and the toned down colours give female audience, rather than the
a more feminine feel. The blue usual block-like male associated
textured background is softer font. It is also the lead article in
than the usual harsh flat white the magazine, you can tell this
used and appeals to a more from the dominance of the word
female oriented audience. over the page.

The colour scheme used is The masthead is centred
black and white. This CONTENTS PAGE #1 showing a more formal
makes the page nice and layout but to contrast this
simple and easy to the photographs showing
comprehend. The aim of each story are more
the page is to show abstract, bringing back
information, so being that unique and individual
simple and easy to read is feel, matching the Indie
essential. However it is target audience.
unusual for there to be no
red in the colour scheme Large page numbers have
of NME. This may show been used as an easy
that they occasionally like guide for the reader to
to do something different, find the articles they want
to show their diversity. as quickly as possible.

The photographs show The text to image ratio is
people clearly and are all split so that images
of similar size, showing dominate most of the
the different stories all page, with just a short pull
have the equal quote underneath them.
importance. They are all The quote is there to
documentary photos (e.g. explain the
bands playing live) which picture, although the
gives the magazine pictures are meant to be
authenticity and the key indicator to what
credability. the article is about. This
suggests that the reader is
The fonts used are bold going to be well educated
and easy to read. Some of in the subjects of the
the taglines are in italics, magazine and do not need
giving the overall image everything explaining to
some variation and added them.
interest. This is unusual
for an NME magazine
which usually sticks to The overall look of this contents page is simple, neat and
more conventional organised, this is done so that it is easy to find the article that you
standard fonts. are looking for.

CONTENTS PAGE #2

The colour scheme used is The masthead is bold and
black, red and white. This instantly lets the reader
continues the usual NME know what they can find
magazine colours, making in this weeks issue.
the page fit comfortably
into the magazine,
creating continuity The text to image ratio is
between the pages. split that although the
photograph is large and
centred, the text
There is only one surrounding it dominates
photograph used which a large proportion of the
shows the featuring page. This shows the
article. You can tell that importance of the other
it’s the featuring article articles, not just the
from the dominance of featuring one.
the photograph on the
page. The photograph is
of the band playing live The writing style is
which appeals to the informal, which reflects
target audience who like the young and indie target
the authenticity factor of audience. The cover line
live music. titled “THIS WEEKS BEST
GIGS” uses up to date
language which connects
The fonts used are bold with the readers. It also
and easy to read. This keeps short in length and
makes articles easy to find doesn’t give away the full
and clear to the reader. article. This catches the
The fonts of this contents readers interest making
page also stick to the them want to read the
classic NME colours of whole article inside the
red, white and black, magazine.
The overall look of this contents page is neat and organised, this is
done so that it is easy to find the article that you are looking for.

CONTENTS PAGE #3
The masthead is to the
The colour scheme used is
right of the page showing
black, white and red,
how it has been given less
although there are also a
importance this week
number of other colours
over the featuring article
used which make the page
of the Kaiser Chiefs.
more energetic and
playful. The consistency of
red, white and black bring The fonts used are bold
the image back to the and use bright colours.
classic NME look. This shows a fun and
However, the colours are casual side to the
muted compared to the magazine, capturing the
bold bright colours of the reader’s attention whilst
current NME magazines, reflecting their playful
this in an old issue and personalities.
shows how the magazine
evolves with the times, Although there is one
keeping current and up to main photograph showing
date. the feature article, the
writing dominates the
majority of the page
The photographs show a showing that the
range of bands showing information is the most
the magazines diversity. essential part of the page.
The slanted angles they This differs the text-image
have been set at give the ratio on the newer
magazine and informal magazines, showing the
twist and remind me of a change in style over the
football style magazine. generations of readers.
This reminds us that this is This shows that NME is a
a more male targeted The overall look of this contents page is messy and developing
magazine. . full of colour, giving an energetic feel to it. magazine, keeping up to
date with the current
cultures.

The photographs used on this double
The colour scheme used DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD #1 page spread are all documentary
on this double page style images. The main photograph is
spread is white, black, of a live event, aimed at the reader of
pink and orange. The this magazine whose hobbies are
Pink and orange are going to live music events.
continued from the
main photograph into
some of the text and
other smaller images
across the double page The photo to
spread text ratio is
almost even but
there is slightly
more text. This
The writing style is shows that the
informal and by using a text is the main
sports related title like focus, but some
“GAME ON” we know photos are there
that the magazine must to give the
have a male oriented reader visual
target audience. information and
Another cover line used to break up the
is “I GOT DRUNK WITH page making the
BEYONCE”, this is a writing easier to
brave title because it digest.
talks about celebrity
scandals, which is
usually associated with
female magazine.
However by having the
article written by a
male figure may mean The font used is easy to read and simple. This The overall look of the page is full of information
it becomes an makes all the writing easy to follow for the reader and pictures, and by putting a range of colours and
acceptable topic for a and by setting out the first of the pages into four some quirky angles it gives the page a fun and
male to read about. columns it breaks it down making it more interesting look, reflecting the alternative target
digestible. audience.

The colour scheme DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD #2 The photographs
used on this double used on this double
page spread is black, page spread are all
white and orange. of Liam, showing his
The colour scheme importance and
brings the page enhancing his
together making it dominance over the
more aesthetically music world. By
pleasing. By including having minimal
the orange, it colours in the
transforms what photographs they
would be a fairly have an old
conventional DPS fashioned edge,
into something connecting Liam
different and with music history.
interesting that
catches the eye.

The writing style is The photo to text
fairly informal. By ratio is almost even
having a short and but there is slightly
catchy headline more text. By
“What’s Next For The keeping this ratio
Eye” it shows that almost even it gives
we are meant to the page balance,
already know who making it look
“The Eye” are and aesthetically
that it does not need pleasing to the
explaining further. By having the photographs reader.
of Liam in the place where
the headline would usually
The font used is easy to read and simple. This makes all be found, it shows that the
the writing easy to follow for the reader and by splitting images do all the talking
the text into manageable sized columns it gives the themselves, and that they The overall look of the page is clean cut
reader the opportunity to read it in sections rather than have become the headline. and crisp. This gives it an edge of
lumping it all in one where the reader may feel This shows the level of sophistication but by using the orange
overwhelmed. stardom that Liam has. colour it adds some more fun to it.

The colour scheme used The graphics used on
DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD #3 this DPS (double page
on this double page
spread is unusual for an spread) dominate most
NME page. The colours of the page and
have been chosen to instantly give the reader
reflect the album that is a feel of the grunge
being talked about, not image. This lets the
the magazine scheme reader know
colours. This is to immediately whether or
enhance the not they would be
importance of the interested in reading
album. The the article.
blues, oranges, and
blacks have been
carried through from In this double page
the image on the spread there is more
left, to the text on the imagery than text,
right which gives the perhaps suggesting that
page continuity and the importance of this
making it look like a article is in the image of
piece of artwork. it and not in the actual
writing. By making the
The writing style is
graphics dominate the
dramatic, and by using
page it shows a lot of
a superlative of degree,
time has gone into the
“MOST”, shows the
design, highlighting the
passion used by the
importance of the
people who would read
spread.
an article like this.

The font used matches the style of the album genre. The overall look of the page is like a piece
It’s a slanted angles and has scratch marks through of art. The artwork continued through the
it, giving it a grunge feel. The italics used in the double page spread would attract the
tagline give a sense of softness which contrasts the reader to it, making it more appealing to
disturbing words. read.

The colour scheme used on this FRONT COVER #1 The main photograph used
KERRANG! Front cover is very similar Although KERRANG! Is not an Indie based magazine, it features the band Biffy Clyro who
to NME, using only red, white and has a similar target audience to NME, aiming at young are the main feature of this issue.
black. This colour scheme again males who are music fanatics. The image is well lit and taken in
appeals to the male audience, and a studio, by taking an image in a
runs through the majority of their studio we are reminded of their
issues which keeps a sense of fame and fortune as they are able
continuity and recognition to it’s to have professional photographs
buyers. taken. As well as this indicator,
the camera angle used to just
below eye level. A low angle shot
shows the power of the people in
The image to text ratio falls heavily
the photograph and the
on the use of photographs. Text
weakness of the audience. This
seems to be less important, reflecting
makes us look up to the band,
the young and energetic people who
and want to feel like we know
read this magazine who have little
them. The band members are all
time to read as they would rather be
gazing directly into the lens,
listening to music.
drawing a connection between
them and the audience, making
us feel like we are closer to them
The writing style is similar to NME, and like we want to know more
using informal language and short about them. And we can achieve
sentences. “ROCK’S NEXT this by buying the magazine.
SUPERSTARS” is a short sentence that
adds drama to the cover. By making
it seem like a big deal, people feel The font used for the
the need to be included in this masthead is square, and bold.
amazing new fad. The quotes used It has lines running through it
reflect a rebellious nature of the
in a random pattern which are
readers for example, “WE’RE NOT
meant to look like scratches,
DOING THINGS TO PLEASE PEOPLE!”,
shows the bands having a carefree reflecting the rough and messy
attitude, which is meant to appeal to male audience.
the young and rebellious readers of The overall look of this front cover is bold and full of
KERRANG!. visual information.

FRONT COVER #2
Although KERRANG! Is not an Indie based magazine, it
has a similar target audience to NME, aiming at young
males who are music fanatics.

The font used for the
masthead is the same as the
The image of Paramore dominate
first KERRANG! Cover I looked
the page, showing the
at, showing the identity of the
importance of the band and the
image that they have. magazine is clear to it’s
audience, making it easily
recognisable.

The writing on this page is very
limited, however the word
“GIANT”, is an extreme word The colour scheme used on this
which reflects the extreme nature KERRANG! Front cover is also the
of the people who read this same as the first front
magazine. cover, again the identity of the
magazine is clearly defined.
However
The main photograph used
features the Paramore. The main
singer is a female, who has been
placed at the front of the band to
show her dominance over the
males. Her bright hair shows her
outgoing personality and
individuality, which would appeal
to the males reading this
magazine.

The overall look of this front cover is bold and full of
visual information.

CONTENTS PAGE #1
Although KERRANG! Is not an Indie based magazine, it has a
similar target audience to NME, aiming at young males who
are music fanatics.
The font used for the
This contents page has a lot of masthead a similar style to the
blank space around it which is font of the KERRANG! Logo,
unusual compared to the other this keeps a continuous feel to
contents pages I have looked at. the magazine, creating an
Which are all full of visual identity and making itself
information. The photographs are recognisable. The font is big
all of Paramore, however the and bold, it’s easy to read and
word “Paramore” has not been gets across the information
written anywhere obvious, which
straight away.
suggests that the band are so well
known that they do not need to
be introduced. This also tells us The colour scheme used on this
that if you are buying the KERRANG! Contents page follows
magazine then you are already an the same colour scheme as the
established fan of the band, so front cover and on the other
the purpose of the following issues, again reinforcing the
articles are to add to your KERRANG! Identity.
knowledge and not
advertisements of the band. There are only four photographs
used on this contents page and
they all feature the same
The writing style on this page is band, Paramore. The images have
very open, creating questions in been placed on the page in a
your mind and making you want chaotic manner which depicts the
to read more. The masthead “IT’S carefree and rebellious target
A RIOT” is unclear as it does not audience. The photographs are all
tell you what it’s talking about studio photographs and remind
straight away, this is a good us of the fame and fortune that
technique because it encourages Paramore have, creating a barrier
you to buy the magazine to find between them and us which in
out what it is talking about. The overall look of the contents page is simple and turn creates idols out of them as
plain. The ripped divide down the side of the page we want to be on their side of the
reflects the reckless nature of the readers. barrier.

CONTENTS PAGE #2
are music fanatics.

The font used for the The writing style on this page is
masthead “contents” is a more relaxed, for example in one cover
rounded font than the one line it says “getting caught by the
usually chosen for KERRANG! fuzz”. By referring to the police as
“the fuzz”, it shows a lack of
respect for the law and reflects
the young and rebellious target
audience. The use of quotes gives
This contents page has a very a chatty style to the text, making
structured layout, dividing each it easy for young readers to relate
section up by using boxes around to the stories.
images. There are many more
pictures than there is text, which
fits in with the pattern with other
contents pages I have looked at in
both NME and KERRANG! The photographs used on this
page are mainly of bands playing
live which indicates to us that the
The colour scheme used on this target audience have a great
KERRANG! Contents page is interest in live music events.
slightly different to the usual There are also two studio shots
colour scheme. On this page we where the camera is at a low
see yellow featuring throughout angle, creating a powerful image
the text and pictures, this differs for the musicians.
to the usual red, white and black
colour scheme.

The overall look of the contents page is structured and
informative. There is lots of visual information, giving hints of
what you can find inside the magazine.

The photograph used
DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD #1 on this page is a well
lit studio photograph
with a metal-grey
are music fanatics.
background to match
their band name and
The font used for their cold look.
the masthead is
clean-cut and easy
to read. Some
The writing on this
words have been page matches
put in bold to be Metallica’s Rock ‘n’
emphasised, roll life style, the
“alcohol … drugs … masthead is a pun on
dodgy women” this the famous phrase
shows their rock “sex, drugs and rock n
and roll attitude. roll”. By putting
“less” in front of each
of the points it shows
an element of
comedy, as the men
get older they want
less of what they are
famous for.

The colour scheme
used on the DPS is
monochromatic,
using de-saturated
colours throughout
the image and text. The DPS is dominated
This reflects the by one large image,
bands name The overall look of the contents page is structured but the torn showing the image of
“Metallica”, as only lines that divide up the text give it a rough and carefree style, the band has more
metal-like colours importance than the
reflecting the target audience.
have been used. article itself.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD #2
The font used for the Although KERRANG! Is not an Indie based magazine, it has a
masthead very different The writing on this
are music fanatics.
to the usual fonts page is enticing,
chosen for KERRANG! As matching the
it uses a script like font seductive image of
in italics. This gives the Florence. The use of
page a feminine feel the rhetorical
which matches the topic question, especially
of Florence. The on the first sentence,
lowercase letters also “why is Florence
help to give the page a Welch lying on the
floor attacking
softer feel.
herself?” draws the
audience in making
them wonder the
The DPS is dominated by answer to the
one large image, showing question.
Florence posing in an
alluring manner. This
image would appeal to
The colour scheme
men on a sexual level and
used matches the
inspirationally to women.
KERRANG! Colours,
The photograph has been
the black and white
taken in a studio and has
base with red accents
been taken to sexualise
that are carried
the star Florence.
through the image in
her hair and in the
stripes that she is
On this DPS the sitting on. The red
photograph of Florence and white stripes
dominates in showing the reflect the American
importance of her image, The overall look of the DPS is a classic black and white look flag, foregrounding
over the content of the with red accents which give the page a classy and upmarket the basis of the
article. feel, which is very different to other pages from KERRANG!. article.

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