MAG RESEARCH

1. MAGAZINE RESEARCH
Jessica Smith

2. Front Cover Analysis
The background colour of the magazine shows a close relation to the mise-en-scene of Katy
Perry’s clothing and the flowers on her. It also complements the text colour scheme which all fits
well together. They used three main colours of pink, black and yellow. This makes the magazine
look more welcoming and invites you to look at the main image. Also the pink background
makes it look more feminine, so with the main artist and the colour scheme it looks like it is
aiming for a certain audience of young females.
The artist’s name is the largest font on the page. This is done to suggest to the reader that the
magazine will include a large article on this person. The typography of this title is done in serif
font which gives the magazine a more professional look and emphasises power which also
relates to the image. The teaser line underneath the head line tells you more about the article of
Katy and makes the reader want to read more about it. Also the smaller cover lines advertise the
other big articles in the magazine. The yellow font helps to organise the front cover and makes
each story stand out more.
The central image is a long shot showing the whole body. This is done since she is the main
subject of the magazine. The clothes are shown as it may suggest that its relevant to the article
in the magazine about her. Her make up also reflects the main colours as it is all pink themed,
with lots of blush and bright pink lipstick.
In this magazine the language used is moderately complex. This shows that the magazine isn't
aiming at kids but people with a bit more sophisticated language like young adults or teenagers.
There is very little writing but the cover lines are all placed on the left had side which gives the
cover page a clean structure to it. This also suggests it is for a slightly older audience since the
magazine isn't clustered like children’s magazines are. The less cover lines means the features
within the magazine will be detailed and not rushed.

3. The splash promotes
something using a
graphic. In this case it is
promoting chart heat
using a red circle to
make it stand out more
on the page.
The subjects facial
expression is clearly
shown due to the mode of
address being shown. This
makes the reader feel
more involved in the
magazine and to the
subject.
The masthead has the
main cover image
overlapping its title. It
stays the same every
magazine with a simple
sans-serif font and
coloured in letters which
makes it look a little
childish.
Main feature
headline.
Entrances the
reader and makes
them aware who is
on the cover
straight away.
The puff is a
competition in the
magazine that is put on
the front cover to get
people to buy it to win
the competition.
This skyline
advertises content
included in the
magazine. In this
magazine it shows
that ‘Sheryl Crow” will
be in it.

4. Contents Page Analysis
For this contents page, the typography is varied using a range of different fonts. Billboard use both serif font and sans-serif font.
I think they do this as the magazine is aimed at a large range of people so they are trying to match the font styles to everyone
too. On the right hand side of the page, there is a column written in small font which suggests there will be a lot of information
within the magazine. The titles included are in a much larger font as they are trying to stand out so people know that they are
looking at the ‘contents’ page.
The layout of the contents page is a bit crowded; however a contents page informs people what the magazine consists of so this
is very helpful. The contents are in 2 columns and show only the main contents of the magazine and not all articles. The
contents are split into 4; ‘upfront’, ‘features’, ‘music’, and ‘in every issue’. This is a god way of categorising to help the reader
know what they're looking for. On the left hand side of the page there is a Billboard chart. This is consistent with every magazine
so it becomes regular and people want to look at it and what the popular songs are at this moment. Even the charts are
categorised into 3 sections of ‘albums’, ‘songs’, and ‘this week on biz’. This makes it feel organised and gives the impression
that is what the magazine is going to be on the inside.
The colours used are very bland such as black, grey and white. However this gives it a formal and sophisticated look. The artist
seems to blend in well with the background. The main 3 colours in this are black, blue and yellow. These are the theme colours
on the page to make it look professional. It has a simplistic colour scheme and the colours chosen all compliment each other
well. These colours are neutral and fashionable so they will appeal to both genders of the young target audience.
For images, there are inserts which are relevant to the features within the magazine, as there is a lot of text the images give the
page more colours and make the layout more interesting. The shot used for the main image of the artist is a long shot because
you can see her whole body. This is effective in showing the body language and her kneeling down pose shows her having a
humble and relaxed attitude. She is kneeling however at eye-level which also shows it was taken with a low-angle shot. This is
also effective since it connotes her being comfortable and content.
The simple background causes more attention to the main image. The other 3 images are all relating to the articles in the
magazine. Most of these images are using direct mode of address therefore entrance the reader into coming to the article they
are about.
The language of this magazine is very informal and therefore suits the target audience with simple to moderate language. The
use of contractions and simple sentences gives the impression of a lack of professionalism with the audience reading this.
For conventions, the title-‘contents’- is at the top which is usual or most magazines. Conventionally, there is a page number for
each feature/cover line. On the other hand, the list of features in the middle of the page is unconventional as it is normally
positioned on the left side of the page.

5. The page numbers shown are
only main features that will appeal
to the readers. The page numbers
are in black and bold to help it
stand out to the readers. Also, the
few images that are shown have
page numbers next to them which
is effective as it makes it easier
for readers to simply go to the
page they want by looking at the
image.
There is a ‘billboard”
logo, which suggests
branding and gives
the magazine an
established look.
There is a column which
shows what songs are
currently in the charts.
There is a variety of charts
as there is not only just one
official chart. I think this is
appropriate as Billboard
magazine is based on the
US so it will interest
readers.
The title is ‘contents’ which is
suitable as it tells the reader
exactly what the page offers. Its
style is in block letters and is
black which makes it stand out
and contrast with the
background.
The main features within the
magazine are in the centre which
gets the most attention as it is in
the centre of the rule of thirds
grid. People generally go straight
to it instead of the left hand
column because it has smaller
font.
The white hotspots are on
or around the column and
the image which catches the
readers attention and draws
them in.

6. Double Page Spread Analysis
The font is representing what the words are saying as the word ‘fiercely’ is put in a very bold font
whereas the word ‘creative’ is put in a font which is quite artistic. One of the negatives of this article is
that the texts are too small to read however with the small texts, the article does look more
professional.
For colour, both words in the main headline stand out a lot as they juxtapose the background which is
a gradient of pink and purple which targets the female audience more. This is continued on the image
through the artist’s make-up. The bold white writing is easy to read and informs the reader straight
away on what the article is going to be about. They have used a mix of four different colours for this
article which is not always normal for magazine companies to do, this gives the page a sense of
uniqueness which appeals to certain people.
For the layout, in the top right hand corner is a caption for the article that says ‘woman of the year’.
This tells the reader the article is going to be about a woman who is most likely famous. There are
two columns of writing for this article. They are located on the left page because a lot of writing can
feel quite intimidating to many readers. If the columns were placed on the right hand side, it would be
the first thing that people would see so could maybe put them off looking at those two pages or the
article altogether.
The main image is placed on the right hand page and takes up the whole page. This is because when
the reader turns the page the first thing that they will see is the image so will automatically know who
it is about. Her make-up hair and costume are all statement so stand out to the reader which is in
relation to the title which includes the word ‘fierce’. The shot is a medium close-up to show her facial
expression to the audience.Her mis-en-scene is what it is trying to show in relation to the word ‘fierce’.
The language of this article is quite intense and inspiring including words such as ‘fierce’ and
‘achievement’. This magazine is aimed at appealing to young to adulthood females. The language is
not too complex so can be understood by the ordinary person using things such as contractions and
slang.

7. Sub-heading
Showing the audience what
might be included in the
article. Also showing
audience she is well known.
The artist is
looking directly
at you which
may suggest
that the purpose
of her article is
to connect with
the audience.
Main Image.
Takes up half of double
page spread which
highlights she is the
centre of attention.
The main image links to
the title of the double
page spread. The word
‘fiercely’ links with the
make-up on Beyonce’s
face. The costume also
links to this.
The byline(naming the
writer of article) is
located underneath the
stand first, above the
article. It is in capital,
white, bold font as it
contrasts against the
background. It isn't a
large piece of text as the
byline is seen as
irrelevant information to
the reader.