The masthead of Q magazine uses a simple bold red background and white "Q" font to create an easily recognizable logo. By keeping the masthead consistent across issues, people can quickly identify Q as a popular alternative music magazine. The masthead's simplistic yet professional style resembles an old record player, suggesting Q covers traditional artists. Its large prominent design stands out on shelves. The red color and dominance connotations position Q as a magazine for a wealthy male audience.

1. Analysing
existing
magazine
mast heads

2. The mast head of Q magazine is recognisable and well known
globally through its bright red back ground and bold white “Q” in a
basic font. The mast head is in the same font and colour for every
issue ( excluding the special editions ) . By keeping it the same it
makes the logo well known. People recognise Q from purely looking
at the logo in the top left hand corner as it is known for being a
successful popular alternative music magazine. The logo is simplistic
but has a professional styles. The appearance of the logo looks like an
old record player, this suggests that Q includes old traditional music
and artist within its issues. The “Q” is large and the back ground is bold
and eye catching which makes it easily recognisable on a shelf with
other music magazines. The colour red is appeals to both sexes but
could be seen as predominantly male, there fore highlighting how Q’s
main audience is male. Red has connotations of dominance and
power which emphasises how Q is a high end magazine which also
represents its wealthy audience.

3. The mast head is the same for every issue (excluding special editions) . By
having the mast head the same colour and design for every issue it makes
it easily recognisable to both the audience and potential buyers. People
recognise NME naughty character through viewing the logo that is always
found in the top corner as it is known for being a successful music
magazine whilst still having a rebellious image. The colour of the text is
bright red with a white and black outline, this makes it eye catching and
helps it stand out in a shelf when placed next to other music magazines.
The colour red appeals to both male and females but can be viewed as
predominantly a male colour highlighting how NME try to appeal to the
male audience. Red has connotations of danger, naughtiness and wealth
which demonstrates how NME is a high end magazine brand that appeals
to rock/punk artists and those who are slightly rebellious. NME mast head
also used no sans serif keeping It very basic but professional.

4. The mast head changes colour depending on the issue, but the
design stays the same. The speech bubble is always outlined
black which normally has negative connotations but here it is
used to make the mast head actually pop. Similarly the use of
the heart emotion gives off a childish impression highlighting
how this magazine is aimed at the younger generation. This
mast head is found in the top let corner for every issue, by
placing it in the same place on every issue makes it easily
recognisable . People recognise “We Love Pop” for its childlike
entertainment fun filled characteristics as it is a successful high
end magazine designed for young children, This mast heads use
of the colour purple signifies that it is aimed predominately at
the female audience, purple has connotations of royalty, luxury
and creativity showing how the magazine appeals to the
middle class children within the social class ABC1 who would
most likely purchase this magazine with their disposable income.

5. This mast head is the same font for every issue ( excluding special editions) By
keeping it the same it makes it identifiable to all people and helps it be well
known. People recognise the rolling stone magazine through looking at this
mast head which is always found in the top corner as it is known for being a
popular and successful rock magazine whilst staying professional and
traditional. The logo is very simplistic bold and basic but still reflects the
traditional style of text thought a band named mast head. The colour of the
text is red which appeals to both sexes however it can be viewed as
predominately male; illustrating how the magazines main audience is male. In
addition the colour red has connotations of power, wealth and dominance
which highlights the fact that “Rolling Stone” is a high end magazine that is
aimed at working class adults. The name of the mast head is named after a
famous rock band which highlights how the magazine is aimed at people who
listen to more classic rock artists of a similar genre to the band themselves.

6. This mast head is the same for every issue (except if there is a special edition) By
keeping it the same it makes this magazine recognisable to a wide variety of
people other than just the audience. The font is taken from a website “dafont”
and the broken glass effect suggests rebellion which fits in with the rock genre.
The use of the exclamation mark at the end of the mast head makes it seem
more dramatic and makes the title seem “louder” like rock music. The mast
head is onomatopoeia as “Kerrang” is similar to the sound a electric guitar
makes when strummed. The use of the colour black has negative connotations
of death, gothic, evil and mystery which highlights that Kerrang’s target
audience is individualists that have an interest in rock music. The colour black is
predominantly aimed at males highlighting how Kerrang's target audience is
males who are fans of the rock genre. This mast head is different to any other
music magazine mast head which makes it noticeable when placed on a shelf
next to other music magazines. This mast head is always stretched across the
top of the magazine front cover on every issue, by having is stretched it takes up
a majority of the top half of the page highlighting the magazines importance
and makes it a trade mark for the publishing company.