Music magazine analysis for media

1. George Pierce

2. FRONT COVER

3. The Kerrang mast head follows most of
the cods and conventions for magazines,
by putting it at the top of the page as well
as keeping the text width of the overall
page. It is also the largest font on the
cover so as to make more noticeable, the
cracking effect on the text tells the
reader that Kerrang is cool and has its
own style which is completely different to
other magazines; the cracking effect also
gives the magazine more of a “ROCK”
which helps appeal to its target audience.
The color scheme of this issues of the
magazine is predominately orange,
black and red; colour’s that would be
more appealing to a male audience
which is more than likely the target
audience this Kerrang issues was set
for.
The cover page follows the codes and
conventions of magazines, the main image is right
in the middle of the cover and therefore is the
most eye catching part of the magazine. It shows
two of the members of “LINKIN PARK” looking
straight forward and into the direction of the
reader; this creates a slightly subtle personal
attraction between the product and the consumer.
The barcode is placed at the bottom right hand
side of the magazine; close to the barcode some
brief information about that issues of the
magazine is given so the reader has a little insight
of what the issues is going to be about.

4. The NME magazine does not really
follow the traditional codes and
convections of magazines, the title
is off to the left and is not directly at
the top of the page like most other
magazines. This will give the
readers the impression that this
particular magazine is a rebel and
does not abide by the rules and is
therefore much cooler than any of it
competitors
The color scheme on this issues is mainly
red and yellow and white; the dominant
color being red (as the background). These
types of colors are more appealing to the
male audience and would attract them
more to the magazine.
The cover page however does follow the codes and
conventions more than the masthead, the image of the
“FOO FIGHTERS” member “DAVID GROHL” is the most
dominant part of the front cover as he takes up most of the
space on the magazine; his appearance is angry which also
gives a little hint to what the story will be about. The size of
the cover lines that are specific to “FOO FIGHTERS” is very
large and is in-fact larger than the masthead; which would
indicate that this issues is going to be heavily “FOO
FIGHTERS” driven and would also entice fans of the band to
buy and read the magazine.
In the bottom right hand corner
above the barcode is a flash that
gives the audience some information
about something they could win,
having this could make other people
want to buy the magazine so they
can try and win the prize.

5. The masthead for the “MOJO” magazine fits
the basic codes and conventions for
magazines, it fits across the width of the
cover and is also has the largest font size;
which makes it very eye catching to a passer
by. The font that is used also gives the reader
that the magazine is quite laid back and quite
mellow and chilled.
The color scheme for this issues of the magazine is
quite clearly green, black and white, these colors seem
to lean towards a more male audience than female, also
giving the reader another hint at how laid back the
magazine is; the use of the color green also adds to this
as it is a more relaxing color and is saying that you will
be relaxed while reading the magazine.
The cover page also leans away from the common codes and conventions and instead
of using the natural color for the main image which is also the most eye catching, they
have used a black and white color correctness to it to make the image look more laid
back which seems to be a main point this particular issues of the magazine is trying to
create. Also because of how different the main image is compared to other music
magazines (color wise) makes it stand out and may be eve more appealing to the
audience as they may want to see what is so different with the magazine and because
of the color scheme may even be tempted to buy it. It is quite clear from the cover lines
which one is going to be the most dominant through out the magazine “KINGS OF
LEON” has the largest font size of all of the cover lines and would instantly attract the
reader to it, it is placed in the centre of the cover and in front of the image; this shows
the reader what this issues is mainly going to be talking about.
GIVE AWAY’S
In the top left hand
corner there is a flash
for a free CD giveaway,
this would help in the
sales as people may be
interested in what CD it
is and may even only
buy the magazine just
for the CD

6. The masthead for Q magazine does not follow the common coeds
and conventions, for a starters its names is short and simple and is
quite easy to remember, but also where the masthead is placed, it is
placed in the right hand corner and is not very dominant; the only part
that makes it noticeable is its red background.
The colors on this issue are quite basic and only mainly
consist of red and white, which once more are slightly more
appealing to a male audience than it is to a female one.
The cover page for this issue also aims more at the male audience, the
image used is quite odd and strange and will almost instantly grasp the eye
of anyone walking past it and may even bring them to pick up the magazine
and buy it. The image follows the common codes and conventions and sits in
the centre; where the audience is bound to look first. The dominant cover line
is going for the shock value to gain the audiences attention and also show
them what this issues is mainly going to be talking about. “DAVE GROHL
SAVES ROCL. AGAIN.” will grip the readers attention and may even make
them carry on reading and buy the magazine; simply because of how
dramatic the magazine is making the story sound.
The barcode here is not following the common cods and
conventions too closely and instead of being at it’s usual place
at the bottom of the cover, it has been placed above the main
cover line; this will show to the audience how big the main
story of the magazine is (that it has to move the barcode from
it usual place ) it could also hint to them how Q magazine likes
to be different and go against the common rules
The give away flash in the top right hand
corner shows the audience what else they
will get if they purchase the magazine.
“FREE UNHEARD FOOS ALBUM” this
would entice them in to buy it more
(especially if they are a fan of Foo
Fighters.

7. CONTENTS PAGE

8. The layout for this “KERRANG”
contents page is quite basic. For
each of the pictures used very little
text is used and only give a very brief
statement on that particular article so
then the readers are forced to flick
through the pages and may even find
some more interesting things that will
make them want to buy the
magazine. The layout of the page
numbers goes against the common
codes and conventions as in the
majority of the time the page numbers
are placed on the left, but in this one
they have been placed on the right;
which also shows how slightly
rebellious Kerrang is. The images
used take up the majority of the
space on this page, the reason for
this is, is people prefer to look at
images than read large chunks of
text; especially if they just to have a
little read of something they like and
want to realx.
The colour scheme is very basic, it mainly
consists of a very light blue background and
black and yellow; the colour yellow is used to
highlight certain articles that hold some
importance or are exclusive; this makes them
stick out so the reader can easily see which
ones they would want to read about.

9. The layout of this “MOJO” contents
page does not follow the common
codes and conventions as the
magazines name is at the top instead
of a “CONTENTS PAGE”. Having this
in bald will attract the readers eye to
it; also underneath the title there is a
small list of cities in which some of
the music from this issues come from.
The main image stands out the most
as it is the biggest notable thing on
the page , it stands to the right of the
page and stretches all most the entire
length of the page; the way in which
he is displayed (being so noticeable)
it hints to the reader that he is going
to be one of the main stories of that
issue of the magazine.
The colour scheme to the contents page is quite basic
and only mainly consists of the light blue background
and black and orange for the text. The orange to make
the page numbers and some of the more important
words to stand out; so the reader will easily be able to
pick up on them and continue through the magazine.
The colour used for the image is in direct contraction to
the light blue (or) faded green; making it much more
eye catching to the reader.

10. The layout is very basic and consists
of the usual image to the right which
takes up the majority of the contents
page’s page. The image shows the
reader who is going to be the main
focus of this particular issue of Q
magazine. The main articles are
placed on the left hand side and also
give a brief description of what that
particular story is about so the
reader can decide if they want to
continue on to that page.
The colour scheme is fairly basic and
only consists of white and black and red
for the text as well as for the borders.
The “Q” is in the same place as it was
on the front cover but this time its red
background stretches across the entire
width of the page, the red makes it
almost instantly eye catching in
comparison of the white back ground.

11. The name of the magazine is at the top of
the page as well as “THIS WEEK” which is
very different to the traditional codes and
conventions, where it would normally say
Contents page. It’s appearance resembles
that of a tabloid news paper; the main story
in the centre further shows this by looking
like an article from a news paper, especially
with its bald tag line. The page numbers
also are not really following the common
codes and conventions as they are on the
right side of the titles for the pages, instead
of the traditional left. Also the way they are
set out is actually hard to see and shows
that these are really not the important
stories that need to be seen; this makes
the main story they are trying to show that
much more appealing to the audience and
might get them to buy the magazine.
The colour scheme for this issue of NME is
basic and the only main colours are the
white fro the background and the black and
red for the text; the red being used to
highlight the separates stories as well as a
few of the key words; so then it would stand
out to the reader and make it slightly more
noticeable.

12. DOUBLE PAGE
SPREAD

13. This is an article from the double page spread
from Q magazine with an article about Lady
Gaga, it says this in the top right hand corner
which is slightly different from the regular codes
and conventions. The main colour scheme for
this page is white back ground with black text
and red.
In the article there is a large “L” which in this
context is associated with Lady Gaga, seeing
this is very odd and really doesn’t follow the
codes and conventions and makes Q magazine
look more rebellious and different to any other
music magazine out there; but it is very
distracting and can make black text a little hard
to read; but it is something that makes Q
magazine stand out from the rest and gives it
it’s own personality.
On the left hand side of the of the double
spread sheet there is an image of Lady Gaga
herself and is looking into the readers eyes
quite sensually to give the reader that more of a
personal relationship; also the way she is
dressed (not much clothing at all) may entice
more people to read the actual article.
Some of the language that is used in the article
is quite slang heavy and would suit Lady Gaga’s
fans quite well and they also understand a little
better too.

14. In this double page spread of an interview
with Hayley Williams from the magazine
Kerrang; her name is highlighted orange to
make sure the reader see’s this very clearly
and knows what the article is about .
“IT HURT ME” they have used this in the
biggest font to grasp the readers attention
and make the article more dramatic and
appealing and therefore make the reader
want to carry on reading and may even buy
the magazine.
The colour scheme is quite dark and the
reason for this is to make the article look
more dire and even more dramatic as the
colour black usually symbolizes something
bad and something hurtful too; also with the
white writing it looks more appealing to
read and looks new and fresh compared to
black writing on a white back ground.
The woman on the right (Hayley Williams)
is shown here to show the reader who the
article is about; but in the way she is
positioned and her facial features are trying
to show that she is strong and is trying not
to let the issue bring her down and she will
try to keep up her music; and even says
that she is still trying to work hard and is
“looking to the future.”

15. In this double page spread of and article
about “HAIM” from the magazine NME. The
masthead takes up the majority of the space
and uses a (really bad) pun to gain the
readers attention and draw them in to read
the article.
The colour scheme to this article is quite
basic and uses the traditional white
background and black text, but the colours
blue and pink highlight some of the
important quotes/names. “If you fuck with
my sisters I will kill you.” has been
highlighted because of its nature and use a
taboo language; seeing this may grasp the
readers attention more as there eyes would
be drawn to the text because of its colour
and size and might be intrigued to read it
from the start to find out why that was said
and even make them buy the magazine.
On the left hand side the picture used is
quite personal and shows all three band
members (who are also sisters) leaning on
one another showing how laid back they are
and quite cool; also because they are
looking straight towards the reader will give
them a more of a personal relationship and
may even subconsciously force the reader to
read/buy the magazine.

16. In this article from MOJO magazine
about “ALEX TURNER” and
“MILES KANE” and their music
they want to record. “BEST OF
BOTH WORLDS” is the masthead
which stretches across both pages,
the image used is also spread
across both pages which show the
reader that this article is one of the
main ones and is definitely worth
the read.
The colour scheme for it is mainly
black and white with orange for the
words that need to be highlighted to
indicate to the reader who certain
people are or just simply key
words.
The fact that one of them is looking
away from the audience gives them
that more sense of mystery and
may egg them on to carry on
reading to find out why he is
looking away and why the other
one is; and may make the reader
want to buy the magazine to find
out more

17. WHAT DO THE ARTICLES
HAVE IN COMMON?
 One of the common things I saw in the articles were that they all used
different colours to highlight certain words and facts and names so that the
reader would be able to know what were the key features and who the
article was about.
 Another common attribute I saw was that all of the pictures had someone
looking out towards the audience to make the reading of the magazine more
personal; which would more than likely make them want to read that
particular article.