The document summarizes key design elements across three pages (cover, contents, and double page spread) of a rock music magazine called "Kerrang!." There are several similarities in design across the pages, including adherence to the rock music genre and use of symbols associated with it. Additionally, all three pages employ a grid layout using the rule of thirds, feature the magazine's masthead, utilize different fonts for headings, and maintain a consistent color scheme. The pages also each include a main image of a rock band and integrate other design elements like fonts, images and colors to effectively engage the target audience of young white males interested in rock music.

1. Research task 3 analysis of own
magazine.
By Baldeep Gahir.

2. Front cover.

3. Sub-genre:
The sub-genre of music that this magazine
represents is Rock. This is evident by features
such as the main image and coverlines of bands
and artist that are known for this particular type
of music .I.e: “New Found Glory.”
Masthead:
The masthead is in a large typography
and is bold. It is in a white colour, with a
black stroke/shadow effect on the outline
of it to make it stand out and grab the
target audiences attention. Also, the fact
that it is placed on a dark purple
background, makes it stand out from the
page. Also, the use of the exclamation
mark at the end of it, could symbolically
represent the loud/exaggerated way that
the masthead is meant to be viewed by
the target audience. This links to the sub-
genre of rock, as it is known to be loud
and “bold.”
Target audience:
The target audience are white males,
who are around the ages of 17-25 and
are interested In rock music. This is
supported by all the images of music
artists being white, and near to this age
range. Also, the coverlines/main image
are of artists who are known for the
sub-genre.
Main image:
The model on the front cover uses
direct address to engage the target
audience. The deconstruction of the
main image shows that mis-en-scene
of things such as the tattoos and the
chunky gold ring reinforces
stereotypes of a typical rock band
member. Also, the fact that this
member has been photographed with
a medium close up shot type,
connotes that he is most likely the
lead singer in the band. Lastly the
model is wearing a black jacket, this
could have been done intentionally so
that it fits in with the house colour.
Coverlines:
There are a range of coverlines around the front
cover. One of which includes a covermount on the
bottom left hand pug. As well as enticing the target
audience by the use of these coverlines, it also
ensures that there is no dead space on the page.
Buzz words:
Around the page there are buzz words, such as “Exclusive”
and “unseen. "These words are deliberately placed on a
bright yellow background to make them stand out and grab
the attention of the target audience.
Main cover line:
This anchors to the main image of
the model. It is central and in a
white typography so that it stands
out.

4. Strapline:
The top strapline is about winning competition tickets. This is done intentionally so
that the target audiences attention is drawn to it, and so that it entices them to buy the
magazine. Also, the fact that it is in loud/bright colours such as red and yellow also
contribute to making it stand out.
Typography:
The font styles are different for each
feature. For example the coverline
“Layer” is different to the masthead
which is bold and In a
“cracked/shattered glass” style. This
style of font could symbolically
represent the idea of loud noises
shatter glass in the same way, rock
music is known to be loud and
represent emotions of anger.
Pug:
All pugs of the magazine include a
feature. For example, the top right
hand corner includes a statement
about winning competition tickets in
a bold red colour, the top left hand
corner is of an image. The bottom left
hand corner consists of a
covermount, an image and the buzz
word “unseen." And lastly, the
bottom right hand corner is of a
coverline, an image and a block of
yellow colour.
Rule of thirds:
This rule is used on the cover page,
and can be seen by the hotspots (the
main points of interest) i.e the main
image being central and the main
cover line intentionally placed so that
they are one of the first things that the
target audience see`s.
Colour scheme:
The main colours of this particular magazine
are black, white and purple. Also, other
colours are used such as red and yellow are
used to make particular features such as the
covermount, strapline stand out. This is
because these features entice and appeal to
the target audience. Also bold colours are
intentionally placed on a light background
(vice versa) to make it stand out. For
example the white main coverline is placed
on a dark background, and similarly the dark
purple cover line “Neck Deep” is placed on
the models light white t-shirt.

5. Contents page:

6. Layout/rule of thirds:
The rule of thirds is used in terms of the positioning
of main hotspots such as the main image in the
centre. The page has a clear grid, and each feature
is sectioned off. For example the the editorial letter
and the contents title are placed at the top, the
article column is placed in the middle and at the
bottom right hand corner there is an image and
headline.
Font:
All the styles of font are different for
every feature on this page. For example,
the contents title is in a large size and is in
a white typography. It also has a bold
black 3d effect around it. Whereas other
features for example, the article titles are
in a smaller size and are placed on a block
of yellow colour to make it stand out.
Also, the font style of the main headline is
a worn out typography and is in a bright
yellow colour.
Mode of address:
The overall mode of address is informal and
uses colloquial language. For example, in
the editorial letter, it begins with “HELLO
READERS.” This is a causal/relaxed opening
which implies that the text is written in a
conversation style. Also, the use of capitals
could represent ideas of the target
audience feeling welcomed (into the
text).The use of the sentence “If you do,
you've got this magazine to remind you of
what happened.” The use of the word
“you” being repeated indicates a more
personal relationship with the target
audience and makes them feel more
engaged. Humour is used in the sentence
“couldn’t fit their audience in their tent.”
This is used to engage and entertain the
target audience.
Article titles:
The article titles are deliberately
presented in a bold typography (of
black, bold writing on the colour
yellow.)This is so that it catches
the attention of the target
audience.
Content:
The content of the page is
typical and what you would
expect to find in a magazine. For
example, news, posters etc. But
other article titles such as “Gigs”
make it more specific that this
magazine is a music magazine.
Shot types:
A variety of shot types are used,
for example:
Main image: long shot
Image linked to the editorial
letter: close up
Model in the bottom right pug (on
the right hand page)- medium
close up

7. By-line:
The byline is there to tell the
target audience, who has
written it, taken certain
pictures etc.it is in a small
white font, but still stands out
due to it being placed on the
darker green grass.
Masthead/brand identity:
The brand identity of the masthead
is not on the top alongside the
contents title, but instead it can be
seen on the right hand side
column, and is on the picture of
the magazines cover page.
Border:
The picture has a black
border to make it stand out
from the white background.
Date/issue number:
This is at the top of the page in a bold, yellow
colour. The connotation of having the date in bold
could be to show the target audience that the
magazine is recent, and includes the latest
news/topics.
Page numbers:
The page numbers are linked to the
article titles and are in a random
order. Also, the main image does not
anchor to a page number.
House style:
The house style is a rock theme. This is mainly
shown by the contents title and the selection of
images surrounding it.For example the skulls,
alcohol bottle, shot glasses, drumsticks and the
Christian cross. These items are all associated with
the stereotypes of what rock music is about.
Target audience:
The target audience are white males
between the ages of 17-25 who are
interested in rock music. Also, on
the bottom of the left hand side of
the double page spread, there are a
selection of links to social media
sites. Stereotypically, these are
mostly used by young people
around the ages of the 17-25 age
group
Editorial letter:
This has a personal feel to it, in terms of the
engaging language used. For example, the
word “you” constantly used. Also, the use of
the font of the editors signature, gives the
letter a more personal touch as it looks as if
he has written it.
Main image:
The mis-en-scene of the beer can prop/cups links to the image of shot glasses
and alcohol bottles surrounding the contents title. Also, all of the are energetic
and lively. This is shown by their body language and happy facial expressions.
The fact that all the models are white, links to the target audience .Also, they
look like they are all between the age range of 17-25.The prop of the red chair
is deliberately present, as it fits in with the colour of the contents
page.(specifically links to the block of colour on which the main headline is on.)

8. Double page spread:

9. Basic layout:
On this page, I can see the
rule of thirds due to the
main hotspots/points of
interest being placed in
certain positions. Eg: The
main image is central on
the left hand side of the
page. Also, a grid is used
in terms of each section
being in its own place. For
example on the right hand
side of the page, at the
top there is the main
headline, a small image, in
the middle there is the
sub-heading and at the
bottom there is the article
paragraph.
Font:
The style of fonts is different for each feature. Eg, the
main headline, the sub-heading and the article are all
different. The main headline is in the biggest size, so
that it is eye-catching and stands out to the target
audience. Although, the sub-heading and article manage
to grab their attention as well, due to the words in bold
and the bold drop caps used.
Space:
There is very little dead space on the page. The only parts that
do not include anything, are the right and left hand side on top
of the main headline. Other than that, features such as the
main image and main headline use a lot of the space effectively.
Main headline:
This feature is in the largest font size and is
in bold typography. Also, the colour of it is
in white, and is on a black background (so
is the sub-heading and the article).This
makes it stand out off the page, resulting
in grabbing the target audiences attention.
Also, the dots surrounding the main
headline, could symbolically represent
“stars” and link to the word “spiritual.
Symbols:
The umbrella image, could have a symbolic
meaning and link to this specific band as it is
used twice on the page (as well as the front
cover.)
Repetition:
Features such as the umbrella image and the name of the band
(Bring me the Horizon) are repeated. (Eg: The bands name is
used three times on this page (on the top right/left side of the
page and in the sub-headline.) This could be to add
emphasis/reinforce the idea.

10. Colours:
The main colours used are black and white. This is seen as
features such as the background is black, and some of the
models clothing are black. All the writing on the page is
white as well as some of the models clothing. This
connotes ideas, of the sub-genre of rock being “dark” and
“emotional. "The colours contrast each other and make
features stand out, and grab the target audiences
attention.
Use of images:
There is only one image that is used, which is the
main image. This takes up the whole page on the
left hand side.
Page:
numbers/branding:
The page numbers
are seen at the
bottom of each
page, along side
the branding of the
masthead title.
They are on a black
background, which
makes them stand
out.
Mode of address/language:
The language used is mainly formal,
but some written in a
speech/conversation style. This is
seen in the article as sentences such
as “Because this wasn’t just a night to
remember. Oh no..” The use of “oh
no” indicates that the article is meant
to be written as if the writer was
having a conversation with the reader.
The use of this is to engage and make
the target audience feel a part of it.
Design/Overall impression:
My overall impression of this page, is that it is presented
in different ways for different people. For example,
someone could see the page as dark and mainly bases on
“rock” due to the dark colours, content, mis-en-scene of
tattoos etc. Whereas another person could view it as
“sophisticated and classy, due to features such as the
classic colour scheme.
Theme:
The theme/semantic field revolves around the sub-genre of rock and
grunge. This can be seen due to things such as tattoos on the models,
which reinforce stereotypes of a typical rock singer, and also in the text,
words such as “spirit” and “dead” link to these themes, as
stereotypically they are associated with them. Eg: that rock music is
about death etc.

11. Main image:
The main image is of the band “Bring me the Horizon. “They are also seen on the front cover.
The denotation is that the members are positioned so that the main person who is in the
centre is the most eye-catching. This connotes that he perhaps is the lead singer in the band.
All of the members use direct address, this is to engage with the audience. Also, the mis-en-
scene of the dark clothing, reinforces the stereotype of a typical person who is interested in
rock music. Although, on the other hand, this clothing could be represented as classy and
sophisticated due to the classic colour combination. And lastly, the costume of the hood
denotes that it is part of the bands image, but could connote and reinforce stereotypes of
young people being up to no good and being “thugs.” As stereotypically, young people who are
up to no good wear items of clothing's such as hoods, to remain discreet.
How text and image are
integrated:
They both anchor to each other
as in the text, the name of the
band is used, and the picture is
about them, secondly the text is
written in the colour “white” and
the models clothing include this
colour alongside other neutral
colours. This may have been
done intentionally to fit in with
the house colour of the page.
By line:
This is in a
white
typography
below the
subheading to
make it stand
out and inform
the target
audience
about who has
taken the
main image.

12. Other double page spreads in the magazine:

13. Similarities between the 3 pages:

14. Genre:
The sub-genre of the rock music is present
in all three pages. This is because the
magazine revolves around this particular
style of music. Also, features such as
famous rock artists are used for the
contents, cover and double page
spread.Also,symbols are also used to
reinforce the stereotype of this sub-genre.
Eg: On the cover page we can see
tattoes,on the contents page, there are
symbols of skulls, alcohol etc and on the
double page spread, tattoes are
deliberately used again.
Rule of 3rd/grid/columns:
The rule of thirds/a grid is used on all the three pages.
This is seen as each feature, (for example, the main
headline, sub headline and article on the double page
spread) are all sectioned off and put into columns. The
effect of this on the target audience, is so that the
layout looks well-ordered and organised.
Masthead/brand identity: The “Kerrang!”
masthead is used on all three pages, to
emphasise to the target audience what
magazine they are reading.
Font:
All three pages use a large/bold font size to
emphasise main features. For example the bold
typography of the masthead on the front cover, the
contents title on the contents page and the main
headline for the double page spread. The use of this
is to make main features such as the ones listed
above, eye-catching and to make them stand out.
Colour scheme:
The three pages all stick to a
colour scheme/house colour. For
example, the cover page is
mainly purple and white, the
contents page is black, white and
red, and the double page spread
is black and white.
Main image:
All three pages have including one
main image in common. For example,
on the cover page the main image is of
the band “Bring me the Horizon”, on
the contents page, there is a different
band and on the double page spread,
the same band which was on the cover
page appear again.