The document provides detailed analysis of the Guitarist magazine, including facts about its circulation numbers from 2008-2009, target audience, price, number of pages, features, and front cover analysis. It examines the layout, images, fonts, and language used in the contents pages and a double page spread. Details on the magazine's editors and in-house photographers are also given. The ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulation) is mentioned, which independently verifies circulation data for advertisers.

1. D
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2. Facts About ‘Guitarist’
Magazine
 First issue was in 1984.
 Longest running guitar magazine in Europe.
 Published every month.
 Genre – Alternative rock & Heavy metal.
 Total circulation: 2008 - 31,917
 Total circulation: 2009 - 30,539
Decrease of
1,378

3. Analysis
 Target Audience :Male Readership (Niche)
 Price + including free CD : £5.50
 Standard occupational Classification : Between A-
C1 Band
 Number Of Pages: 202 including front & back cover.
 Number Of Editorial Pages: 70+
 Has many adverts within the magazine meaning the
cover is cheaper.

4. Features Within The
Magazine
 Reviews about recently
released guitars,
amplifiers and other
guitar/music related
equipment.
 Plus interviews with
guitar players.
 This magazine covers
both acoustic and
electric guitars.

5. Front Cover Analysis
How much is the
magazine?
The magazine costs £5.50.
Where are we told
how much it is?
The price is situated near the
barcode.
Who is producing
the magazine?
The magazine is
produced by ‘Music
Radar’/’Future’.
What colour is the
masthead?
The colour of the
masthead is white.
Is it a close-up,
medium or long
shot?
My personal opinion is
that it is a medium close-
up shot of the guitar, as
the image does not
show the full guitar but
shows enough of image
for the viewing public to
recognise that it’s a
guitar.
How does the image
attract the audience?
The guitar on the front cover
is new and attractive to the
niche market audience
(people who are interested
in guitars/musicians). The
appearance, style and
popularity of the guitar have
a valuable part in attracting
the specific audience
intended for the magazine
to be successful.
How do we know what is
inside the magazine?
Such as within the ‘Guitarist’
magazine they have stated there
are reviews, interviews and guitar
lessons which are stated at the
very top of the front cover (The
“eyebrows”). Also around the main
image they give little sneak peeks -
for example a little image, name or
a interesting quote from an article.
ALLURING OFFERS
Featured
interviews within
the magazine
Various font
sizes

6. Front Cover Comparison
The Masthead is
generally the same
over the years. Its
distinctive and iconic.
The price is near the
barcode again like the
guitarist magazine
The entire front
cover has their
trademark
colours – black,
white and red.
(In house style)
Unlike the guitarist magazine which
states what features are within the
magazine (eyebrows) the NME states
the same in the footer.

7. Contents Page Analysis – Part 1
Give a denotative description of
the layout of the contents page.
The first page of the contents
page shows an electric guitar
which covers 2/3 of the page. With
1/3 of the page containing page
numbers and briefly what contents
will be on that specific page or
pages within the magazine.
How is language targeting
the audience?
The language used is generally
directed to the A – C1
category of the ‘Standard
Occupational Classification’
system. Meaning that the
language used throughout the
magazine is formal (Standard
English) – as the magazine is
targeted to an upper – middle
class niche audience.
Give examples
‘Line 6 upgrades its digital
guitar with the help of master
craftsman James Tyler. We
exclusively review and demo
the first MK II variax to storm the
UK’.
How many fonts have been
used and why?
4 to 5 have been used throughout the
contents page. This is because the word
‘contents’ must be in bold to indicate
that it’s the contents page; to the
audience. Also different sections in the
magazine are addressed by different
fonts for specific sections.
What images have been used
and why?
On the first page there is a close up shot
of the guitar in the middle of the page. I
think this is because the designers want
to remind the audience it is ‘Guitarist’
magazine. On the second half on the
contents page there is medium shot of a
musician on the top left hand side
corner of the page.

8. Contents Page Analysis – Part 2
Give a denotative
description of the layout
of the contents page.
The second page contains
one image which is larger
than another image on the
same page. The rest of the
page contains the
continuation of the page
numbers and there brief
relevant page information.
Discuss the use of colour
using denotation and
connotation
The use of colour is
minimal – meaning that
the in the two page of the
contents magazine they
use roughly 4- 5 colours.
Which area all masculine
colours; that shows that
the magazine is directed
to a male readership
rather than female. Also
the use of few colours may
be to make the audience
focus more on the images
provided on both pages
of the contents page
rather than the text.

9. Double Page Spread Analysis
Give a denotative
description of the
layout
The layout on the
double page spread is
busy, there are images
scattered around both
pages with associated
text relevant to the
image close by, also
information for
example booking
tickets, telephone
numbers, animations
are at the sides of the
pages.
What images have
been used and why?
The images used are
relevant to the text
which accompanies the
images. For example if
there is an image of a
bass guitar the image
would be relevant to the
text. When reading the
text the purchaser may
not know what guitar
the text is discussing; so
having the image of the
guitar joint to the text
makes it easier for the
reader to identify with
what the text is talking
about.
How many fonts have
been used and why?
The amount of different
fonts used is around 4 – 5
on both pages of the
spread. This may be to
break up the text; so that
the purchaser is not
overwhelmed with text
and will find it somewhat
enjoyable to read and
also to comprehend.
Discuss the use of colour using denotation and
connotation
Also another example is a sign stating - ‘TICKETS FOR
SALE NOW’ in bold white font with a red circular
background. The use of a red background is possibly
used to associate with warning that tickets are running

10. Editors
 Mick Taylor (Editor)
Jim Douglas (Editorial Director)
Matthew Hurlain ( Group Art Editor)
Julie Tolley (Group Senior Editor)
Robin Abbott (Creative Director)

11. In House Photographers
Joe Branston
Dave Caudery
Neil Godwin
Simon Lees

12. ABC – Amember Of The Audit
Bureau Of Circulation
ABC launched in 1914.
Launched as response to
advertiser demand.
Advertisers & advertising
agencies need to be assured
their printed advertising
decisions are based on
credible, independently
verified circulation data.