Here I have analysed different Rock related contents pages and double page spread's so I could see how they were structured for the production of my own magazine.
The Essence of Mothers Celebrating the Heart of the Family.pptx
Media contents and dps analysis
1. In this contents page it also includes the
magazine logo/masthead in the boldest font
so it is clear. Beneath the masthead is also
cities of where some iconic music is made.
Mojo is aimed at an older demographic which is why it uses quite a simple colour palette of
grey, black and gold which are quite muted and not too bright, but still includes a touch of
colour so it is not completely dull.
Like most magazines it also separates main
articles by using a bold font appealing to the
reader then explains in a smaller font
underneath so the reader can decide whether
its what they want to read. The cover story at
the bottom of the page is also sectioned off
making it stand out and emphasises that it is
the main article with a longer breakdown, but
remains in the same font maintaining
consistency.
At the bottom of the article there is also a pull
quote included which is designed to draw readers
in by it being in a different font and separated from
the main body of the text. The quote also gives a
personal account as it from an artist and could
appeal to their fans.
Another convention is the inclusion of
the date and issue number this allows
collectors to keep up to date and collect
their magazine, it also indicates how
successful the magazine is and for how
long it has been publishing emphasising
authenticity.
In the image the artist also takes up a
proportion of the cover from the left hand
side at a high angle with direct address as
he looks directly at the audience adding to
intimacy and attracting the readers
attention. This image is also shot using high
key lighting and quite smart/casual clothing
to appeal to an older fan base. The mise-
en-scene also stands out amongst the
house style colours as red is quite bright
and draws the eyes of the reader
Mojo Contents Page
2. Conventionally includes the magazines logo/masthead,
issue number and date.
The image takes up quite a large proportion of the page with a
single artist, wearing conventional black clothing to suit the
genre
The informative text is placed on the left making it
easy to follow with page numbers and is laid out in
columns quite formally. The colours used for text is
white and pink in this issue however the white
remains a staple colour throughout the magazine as
I have seen in a few of there other contents pages.
The text used also remains the same font
adding to consistency of the magazine,
however the band names appear bigger
with a small bit about what the article
consists of making it easier to locate
articles.
It also includes a quote from the artist possibly appealing to fans and
indicating what the article could be about.
The image is also shot using quite high key lighting with the
artist not conventionally staring directly at the audience with a
mid torso shot.
The colour choice and mise-en-scene used indicates the magazine
is for a younger fan base as it uses brighter colours than ones
from older magazines like mojo which use a more muted palette.
Rock Sound Contents Page
3. Classic Rock Contents Page In this classic rock contents page the image
is the focal point taking up three quarters
on the page. This image was taken using long
shot to capture all of the members. Editing
of the image is related to the dusty brown
imagery associated with the classic rock
style and the lack of saturation/colour. The
editing of the image can also connote that
the band are quite well known or have been
around for a long time. The whole appearance
of the image is quite minimalistic with its
muted colour palette and lack of emotion
which can be linked to the rock genre.
The colour scheme is also quite
minimal sticking to consistently
used colours in the rock genre of
white, black and red which
compliment each other well.
Other conventions which can be
found in this example are the
issue number and date the issue
was released. It also includes
columned text and page numbers
to make it easy for the reader
to navigate through the
magazine.
The text in the contents page
appears quite uniformed sticking
to a specific and classic font
style referring to the magazines
selling point. Comparing this to
the likes of Kerrang’s house
style it is very minimal whereas
Kerrang is quite chaotic,
appealing to a younger
demographic.
The article heading is strategically
placed in the centre of the page towards
the top using a different font to appeal
to the reader and is an important part
of the article used to attract the
readers attention.
Unlike other magazines the masthead
‘Classic Rock’ appears in a smaller
font than the subheading subverting to
typical conventions. It also appears
along the boarder in the colour black
making it hard to tell what magazine you
are reading and other text appears in
black as well.
4. Metal Hammer Contents PageLike most other music magazines the
masthead appears quite boldly on the
contents page so people are aware of
what the are reading and the ‘contents’
below it as well as release date and issue
number all aligned.
The main body of the text appears
on the left hand side of the page in
a columned format. Using a
conventional colour palette of
black white and red as these are
often associated with the rock
genre. The font used is quite old
fashioned and appears with page
numbers helping direct the
reader to key elements within the
magazine.
On the right hand side of the page there are
a line of images related to the articles
within the magazine and the pages they can
be found on. This helps breakup the text and
appeal to people visually indicating what
the article is based on. They have also
chosen to include the front cover of the
issue amongst the images.
On some contents pages they may also
include an interpersonal message from
the editor appealing to the reader and
including them. This can be found on the
far right hand side using white and red
font on a black background to help it
stand out, it also includes a signature
which may hold sentimental value to the
reader.
This contents page also includes buttons
like most front covers to try and coax the
reader by offering them something
related to the issue and selling it. As far
as layout is concerned it is chaotic
compared to the likes of Mojo and the
previous Classic Rock ones I have looked
at.
5. Metal Hammer DPS
This double page spread is quite minimalistic and simple with a very structured format. The pages are split into two,
image conventionally on the left and text on the right. It also has a simple black and white colour scheme running
throughout, this is much less in-your-face than the bright colours of Kerrang and Q. the black and white also adds to the
effect of the band and make them seem more mysterious and serious about their music than a band that’s jumping
around in a photography studio like that of pop. The image is shown with an above torso shot edited to continue the
black and white theme with the direct address of the artist and eye contact making it interpersonal, he also has quite a
lack of expression which can be linked to the rock genre.
The intricate title design
and small writing on the
left hand side page is a
gothic and flowing design,
which is suggestive of an
older target audience and
its attention to detail. It
also links to association
with quite heavy music as
is metal hammer in itself.
The page numbers and information about the picture is in a very small text size, this could so as it
doesn’t distract from the article its self or the image it’s over, and is only for one page for the same
reason. The font used is a very fitting font to the mise-en-scene for this dps. Slightly gothic but still
readable, it’s a clear font that fonts in with the fancy art work of the title and first letter.
The text appears in 3 symmetrical and evenly spaced columns with the first letter
using the same intricate design as the headline showing consistency in the layout
and design. The article uses a two toned colour palette of white and grey rather
than the traditional red to link to match the article. It also includes a grab quote
essentially to grab the reader and summarise part of the story. The page number
can also be found at the bottom of the page
The language used is personal and detailed. for example, in this article about going to
interview a metal star, for the first two paragraphs are describing his (the interviewer)
surroundings and how it feels, he include anecdotes about his teenage years, an extract of
this: “I am guided down a twisting staircase to a seemingly would be lair fit for a Metal
God. For the duration I am now 15 years old trying to maintain.” This detailed extract
continues to describe his “hang out spot” and what type of music was played. This gives the
article a more personal touch delving into the interviewer’s personal life. The build up of the
surroundings in detail causes a build up in tension and intrigue for the reader, this makes
them want to read on, and feel a part of the article as they know it so well. For the more
enthusiastic readers, who have been to these places, it will bring back memories of being
there and will make it even more personal.
6. Rock sound DPS
For this Dps they have also put an image on the left hand side and the
text on the right hand side as it is convenient for the reader. The image
uses colour which subverts to usual conventions of rock as they are
commonly black and white or muted. The image is taken in long shot so
it fits in all the members and quite playful compared to other images in
this genre.
It uses the conventional colour palette of black, red and white and
maintains three main columns for the text with a grab quote showing
in bigger font giving an idea of the artists views.
The headline is conventionally the biggest font to appear on the page with a thick red box under it so it
stands out which can be linked to the band as they are known for chaotic performances and the running of
the box could connote that as it isn’t solid and straight. The font used particularly on ‘s’ appears shattered
also relating to the genre and its violent stereotypes.
The box sectioned off below the title is also in a different box making it stand out and
the bands name appears in a bold white standing out even further.
Like many other dps’s the text s started using a drop capital often used to gain the readers attention and
get them to read the article which is shown in an ordered and consistent format.
7. Here is a classic rock dps. Unconventionally the image takes up
approximately 75% of the page for the right hand side unlike most
where the image is on the right hand side. The band name
‘audioslave’ appears t the top of the page separated from all other
text in a small orange font.
The headline slave to the rhythm appears in a differentstyle font to grab the
readersattentionbut I one not as bold as it is quite thin with slave being a bigger
font to purposely to get the readers attentionand them to read into the article. Like
a few of the other dps’s I have looked at this one also containsa drop capitalin a
thick bold font and is one chunk of text in a single column.
The design is quite minimalistic sticking to an old fashionedlooking
style of photographyand the classic rocks dusty brown house style.
The image appearsto look quite serious and as though it is taken in a
hidden space drawing suspense and intriguingthe reader.
The masthead ‘classic rock’appears at the bottom of the
articleby each page number remainingquite subtle unlike
other brands which may have bolder and more visible
mastheads. This article style also uses minimal colour
straying away from typicallyassociatedrock colourslike red
and white, keeping it muted with blackand a pop of green
and orange.
8. The uses an unconventional colour of orange to substitute with the more common red, white and black colour
scheme. The words ‘In Good Health’ contrast with Pete Doherty in general, this is ironic as Pete doesn’t have great
health which is shown by him holding a beer and not looking his best, like he’s been out with the lads wearing quite
neutral clothing and minimal facial expressions. Like in other dps’s there are three main columns involving the
article on the right hand side and the image on the left hand side. I think this DPS is effective because of the image,
the colour scheme and the article just looks interesting. I like the layout and think it looks interesting and jumbled
up like Pete himself. This DPS does appeal to it’s target audience of indie rock as Pete is a main feature in this genre,
even though he isn’t necessarily known as a role model and he is part of the stereotypical rock culture of today.
The article appears structures quite well with a torso and above shot
and to break up the large chunk of text they have used a bold orange
drop capital maintaining consistency with the colour palette of black,
white and orange. The also use a grab quote to break up the text and
draw the readers attention as these usually consist of something the
artist is saying relating to them.
They also include a small picture below the last
paragraph of text and a small caption as well as page
numbers.