Front Cover Draft 1

Fonts

Pictures (contents page) FASHION PHOTOSHOPPING

Fall 2010 Trend Colours

Contents Ideas

Masthead Ideas

Target Audience

My magazine will appeal to a wide range of scoial class groups. The affordabilty of the monthly edition  makes it possible for lower groups such as D's and C2's.
The range of music helps interest different age groups such as the teens by the new music artist and 80's punk which spreads over a chunk of age groups. There will be collumns and features on certain fashion aspects with new and qwerky  trends, this interests the male audience but is dominates by the females. There would also be features on music in nearby countrys in the EU to interest the ever growing foreign population of England. Over all my magazine will appeal to the social catagories B-D.

Overall Summary

I want to create a magazine that avoids narrow casting to appeal to a wider range audience. It will be eclectic containing a unique range of genres creating a hybrid fusion. Due to the everchanging fashion trends which are now focusing on street couture and  punk my magazine house style will follow this and will have the option to change in correlation to the fashion industry, keeping audience interest and maintaining originality and freshness.

I would pitch my magazine to IPC as they already publish fashion magazines:

·         In Style

·         Marie Claire

·         Look

The only music magazines they publish are:

·         NME (a mainstream magazine expressing new music) £2.20 per week.

·         UNCUT (which is similar to Q by promoting quality music such as Paul McCartney) £4.20 per month.

This magazine would create a bridge between the two magazines as there is no other music magazine similar to mine that they publish. The price of uncut is expensive but a month of NME would cost even more, £8.80. My magazine would be a monthly edition at an affordable price of around £3.20. This puts the price of the magazine in the center of both NME and UNCUT.

Clash Double Page Spread Analysis

The main image of Iggy relates back to the front cover. The use of medium close-up has been used in this double page spread and on the front cover. His right arm is raised in this main image whereas on the front cover they're both raised. Also his focus is diagonally down wheras on the front cover it is directly look at the reader. The image is black and white which is oposite to the front cover. He is performing in this image which contrast the front cover.  His iconic clothing, bare chested, continues through to the doublee page spread.

The headline "RAW POWER" is showing Iggy in a positive light. The article is about the front cover line, it mentions David Bowe also. The colour white has been used to signify purity and the red danger or warning, this shows Iggy in two different lights which the artical is about. The fact he was an iconic musician but his drug habbits where a downfall. The double underline of the wordm "POWER" emphasizes this, intensifying Iggy's reputation. The us of a white line border ties in the colour of the headline and the colour of the writing. The use of a bold, red, capital "T" draws the attention of the reader to a particular point, here being the begining of the artical.  The way they have used a strencil version of the main image in the letter "A" realtes both pages and creates an asthetic symetry.

A brief introduction and a bold, state of time gives the reader a short insight into the article, so they understand the context and contents of it before reading it. The use of two colums introduces the rest of the feature pages without boring the reader.

Summary of Analysis

From analysing this double page spread i have learned how to create continuity through a magazine by relating the front cover main image and main coverline to a double page spread, and through the use of photography. Also, i have learnt how to create interesting and unique typefaces through the main image of the double page feature.

Clash Contents Page Analysis

The main image is Iggy again showing him performing. They have done this as the main feature and made his page number and title the largest to stand out to the reader and make them aware that he is the main feature. He also has the largest ??? to show his importance in the magazine.They have three separated images,all the same size, to show the double page features and make them stand out to the reader. They have also used green and pink, which is apart of the house style from the front over, to highlight more important regulars.

Th regulars and features have been clearly separated by sub heading with gold, connoting "the best". Also the fashion section is clearly shown with a bottom banner line in black to create a contrast with two separated images. They even have a "PLUS" strip to advertise more of the clash fashion.

The colours have created continuity through the house style and the golds and blacks have formalised it, also giving a splash of street couture relating to fashion trends.

The main image is of him performing again, almost eating the microphone, which shows his qwerty and weird performance side to him. The black and white image relates to the double page spread which creates continuity. He, like in the double page spread, isn't looking directly at the audience and you can barely see his eyes at all. His hair is in a different style and he is wearing a piece of arm jewelry in the shape of a snake. 

Summary of Analysis

From analysing this contents page i have learned how to create emphasis on certain features opposed to others. I have also learned how to achieve an effective house style and use colours to create an impression on an aspect of the page. I have also learned how to use separated images to achieve the same quality.

Clash Front Cover Analysis

Publisher: PPA

Editor in Chief: Simon Harper

Genre: Alternative

Issue Number:49

The "a" and "s", in the mast head, appear to mirror each other which relates to the genre of the magazine. This is because the magazine is alternative, opposite to other genres, and this is what the letters are doing, the "a" is just an "s" but the opposite way around. It also relates to the banner line as Iggy and David Bowie are very similar to each other, they both had a cocaine addiction and lived together in Berlin to try and get off the drugs. The fact the letters are symmetrical, or mirroring each other, is symbolic to the pairs relationships because they are both very similar. The colour pink connotes femininity which relates to the feminine pose Iggy is holding in the main image and also the fact he has long hair and wears make-up. The word "clash" is particularly important as it expresses the genre by basically saying our music clashes against the rest which is ideological of the institution.

Iggy, in the main image, is swearing by holding his middle fingers up, the institution have made this subtle to the audience by not directing the offensive sign to the audience, this could offend readers lowering sales. This subtle gesture shows Iggy's attitude as a famous rock star would have. The subtleness could also suggest his retirement of the music industry, almost as if he isn't capable anymore or not as outrageous as he used to be by not swearing fully. They could also be interpreted as devil horns to connote his bad boy image and his devilish attitudes on stage. The use of medium close up draws our attention to his bare chest and upper torso. This is iconic of Iggy, so we instantly know it's him even though the image is centred at his chest. The simplistic background  makes it easy for the audience to read the cover lines so their attention is not distracted.

In the banner line "IGGY AND THE STOOGES" is in bold, lime green and in capital letters, This is so the audience are clear about the what is the most important part of the writing, i.e not David Bowie, not death or drugs but IGGY AND THE STOOGES. The lime green creates a clash against the pink mast head and rest of the banner line which correlates with the genre and the connotations of the mast head. The institution have used a pink background on the rest of the  banner line, which continues the colour in the mast head and some cover lines.  The white writing creates a clear contrast so that it is easy to read.  The banner line is also giving the main image anchorage.

The cover lines have a mixture of white, pink and lime green, continuing the colour scheme around the lay out creating consistency which happens to appear visually better.  The font colour is plain white and they have used colour to draw attention top the specific things that will interest their target audience the most. The institution have also used a simple cross sign in pink instead of writing the word plus. This is unusual which immediately catches the readers attention to see what it is. The pink relates the cover line under the plus to the mast head making it clear that "Clash" is saying, "plus we have this!"  They have also used bold fonts to subtly draw the attention of the reader to important words of the cover lines for example band names, "CYPRESS HILL". The audience are, most probably, going to like this band therefore will be drawn towards it to read about them. A simple thick pink line is vertically parallel with the boldest cover line to make it stand out even more. 

An ear is used to advertise the cheap price of the magazine making it appear affordable. The choice of lime green  is appropriate as there isn't as much of the colour used compared to the pink and white so it has prevented it from being lost. The strap line across the top of the magazine is also making the magazine seem worth its money by advertising free music to download, this again is encouraging readers to buy the magazine even more.

The bar code is found in the bottom, right hand corner as when magazines are stacked, this part is hidden behind others. It would waste advertising space to be portrayed in the left third. There is only a monthly edition. The website address is also found under the bar code, www.clashmusic.com. The price and issue number are written outside the bar code which looks better than inside like in Q and KERRANG magazine.

Summary of Analysis

From analysing this magazine i have learned how to create colour schemes in relation to the ideology of the masthead and genre. I have also learned, through the use of colour, how to make certain elements of the layout stand out amongst the rest. I have also learned how signs and symbols can be used in a main image to convey a certain attitude or message to an audience. Finally, i have found out how to make a product appear cheap and worth the money through the use of strap lines and ears.

Kerrang Double Page Spread Analysis



They have amiguously used the quote as a pull quote and to appear like a masthead. The use of ranged font size creates the illlusion of collaged newsprint. This style was used for death threats and black mail and the fact she is talking about being an "attention seeker" could suggest emphasis of this factor. The contrasting black and white also complement this idea and continues Lilly Allan's punk style accross the double page. The drop cap used in the article appears to be a strip of the collage continuing this style even further.

The main image is a medium close-up, we can can see Lilly Allan in a tartan shirt with her sleeves rolled up to 3/4 and her hair short black with dark eye make-up. This conotes punk and her hands on her hips shows hidden attitude. Her head is turned towards the quote which makes it look like she is saying it at that point.

There are 4 equal sized columns on the bottom left page which covers left to right. The writing is ordered to make it easily readable for the audience. The bold, red words are to link the colours of Lilly's shirt on the right to the left page, creating continuity and a clear house style. A small introduction is above the article to show the audience what the article is about before they read it.

Summary of Anlysis

From analysing this double page spread i have leared how to show hidden meaning in a picture and how to visually lin a main image to a oull quote. I have also learned that a pull quote can be doubled as a masthead. Finally, i have learned how to use interesting fonts to create hidden messages and continue house style and theme.

Kerrang Contents Page Analysis

The colour scheme of the masthead has continued throughout the magazine creating continuity in the house style. The yellow on black makes the writing stand out and allows for a smaller masthead with the same impact as a larger one, creating more room on the page. These two colours are related to danger signs and connote this to the audience giving it a street edge. A clear cover date and issue number is placed underneath for the audience to notify.

The images have been laid out conventionally in a grid-like format. The main feature owns the largest image to make it easier for the audience to locate and to reinforce the importance of the article. The three horizontally laid pictures are of the same shot size, medium shot, which is conventional. The main image and "the king blues" image are both close-ups and the final image is a medium close-up. The range of shot sizes also interests the reader.The geometric shaped pictures match the shapes of the outlined headings, creating an overall aesthetically pleasing page.

The page numbers are the same colour scheme as the masthead but have been inverted to separate masthead, text and numbers. This is so the audience arn't confused and the writing is clear. They're all the same font size which is surprising as the main features generally have a larger number than the rest. For each picture and page number there is a caption vaguely explaining its content.

The institution have put a letter from the editor in the top left corner which is conventional to have on a contents page.They have also included a small image of the front cover to remind the audience of the magazines content and link to what the editor is saying.They have also chosen to include a quote from an artists referring to another band which is the first i have seen on a contents page. This gives an insight into the opinions of artists this target audience are willing to read about. 

Summary of Analysis
From analysing this contents page i have learnt how to appropriately use the convention of an editors letter and incorporate an image along side it. I have also learned how to invert colour schemes to create continuity without boring the reader.

Kerrang Front Cover Analysis

Publisher - Bauer

Editor in Chief - Phil Alexander

Genre - Rock

Issue Number - 4224

The masthead, "KERRANG!" is said to mean the name given to the strumming on an electrical guitar, also the noise made when performing this action on the guitar. This creates an onomatopoeic relationship between the mast head and the genre of music. The font makes the word appear smashed which is ideological of rock bands as we see them smashing their guitars and breaking equipment. The colours black and white are stereotypical colours of this genre. Rock musicians tend to wear black nail varnish, thick black eyeliner, black clothing and pale white faces which are all also associated with goths. This is representing a specific stereotype and fashion trend which appeals to a wider audience gaining more interest. The white font colour creates a strong contrast against the background making it noticeable to the reader.

The main image links with the banner line, "UNDER THE SKIN OF MATT HEAFY". This gives anchorage to the image because the main image, using medium close up,  is showing him being tattooed which reflects the idea of being "under the skin". We are not only, as readers, reading about himself and his  possible secrets behind the famous thrash metal band TRIVIUM, but we are being physically exposed to the visual tattooing image. This is ideological as the image is creating a lifestyle that reader's aspire to be apart of (aspirational). He is not directly looking at the reader but just to the right

The institution have continued the colour scheme of the masthead through apart of the  banner line but instead of having a black background they have used a shadow around the text. This ensures that the emphasis stays more to the masthead but creates an eye catching effect with the banner line giving  anchorage to the main image. They have used yellow in "under the skin" to create a connection with the main image again. The yellow in the tattoo, which is under the skin of Matt Heafy, is made more clear with this idea making the over all visual quality of the front cover more aesthetically pleasing. The black Japanese symbol through the center of the banner line hints the ethnicity of the artist but keeps it subtle due to excessive amounts of black in the house style. The boldness and size of the band name "TRIVIUM" makes the audience aware instantly that he is apart of it.

The magazine, like Q, is breaking the conventions by not advertising cover lines but has used promotional plugs instead of. These are offering free poster's inside the magazine which encourages the reader to buy the magazine, even if it is just for the free posters. They have been outlined in green which has been picked out of the tattoo again relating the main image also. The anchorage across the centre of the two images is in bold yellow font, again linking with the tattoo colour, exclaiming to the audience with exclamation mark. The green background is continuing the house style throughout.

The average audience age for KERRANG would be 18-25 year olds. The price of only £2.20 makes it affordable for students and the ideological lifestyle fits this age. You have to be 18 to have tattoos so it would be pointless targeting any age group below this. Also, at that age, people are going out drinking and having fun socialising, maybe even making mischief which is what KERRANG's image is all about.

The bar code is found in the bottom right hand corner as when magazines are stacked, this part is hidden behind others. It would waste advertising space to be portrayed in the left third. There is only a weekly edition. The website address is also found under the bar code, http://www.kerrang.com/.

The bottom banner strip advertises bands of the same genre that are wrote about inside the magazine. The yellow writing is continued in the "plus!" which is in bold font to attract the reader's attention. The red background, associated with warning and danger, helps to achieve this by grabbing the reader's focus. This is mirrored in the top banner strip but using a red background and white writing which flows with the masthead colour scheme.

Summary of Analysis

From analysing this magazine i have learned how to link colour schemes effectively with the main image and how to accumulate clever and interesting puns which correlate and create ambiguity with the main image. I have also learned the appropriate use of banner strips and plugs. Finally i have learnt how to use onomatopoeia to create an interesting mast head for my magazine.

Q Double Page Spread Analysis

Again, the main image is of Paul McCartney, creating more continuity . He is seen grabbing his hair and screaming as if frustrated. This creates ambiguity with the word run. This is because the writing explains how he hasn't stopped producing after 40 years of leaving the Beatles and how he "refuses to stand still" but also the frustration makes him seem worried as if on the run. This is also the first time we see his legs at all, this could also relate to the word "RUN" as you run with your legs. He still seems to be wearing the same clothing, the dark black jacket contrasts against the white background making him pop out of the page.

The use of two simple 3 letter words, "MAN" and "RUN" creates an effective title and combines the house style colour scheme effectively due to the simpleness. The red highlight on Paul McCartney's name adds more red so that the double page spread doesn't look too black and white. It also makes his name stand out to the reader so that they know the two pages link. tis is because it is unusual to have a clear separation between pages of a double page spread.

The bold black background makes all of the writing stand out and contrasts against the light grey background of the picture next to it. There is also two lines, one above the writing and one below to group the words together. The simple by lines are located at the bottom of the left hand page with the people in bold and the title in regular font.

Summary of Analysis
From this analysis I have learned how achieve ambiguity through the use of pun. Also how to create strong contrasts between images and backgrounds and text and backgrounds. I've found out how to highlight important phrases to tie in the colour scheme and also how to separate text from title.

Q Contents Page Analysis (D.P 6&7)

Picture Total - 10
Regulars - 10 & Q review
Features - 13
Colour scheme - Red, White & Black (Matching front cover)

The main image is of Paul McCartney which links back to the front cover. Here he is hiding behind a black wall where as on the front cover he is hiding behind his own black jacket. The repetition of his face represents how much he is dominating the magazine with a 27 page edition.

The large images show the audience that they are the double page features and attracts them to flick through and have a read. The smaller images show one double page feature and one double page regular. The image for the regular 34 shows a new artist and dedicates a whole page introducing the new artist.

The colour scheme, red, white and black has continued from the front cover to the contents to also create continuity and maintain a recognisable house style for the magazine. The black writing contrasts the white background and the dividing red lines highlight the title of each feature/regular. The use of red writing emphasises certain stories that the institution wants the audience to see.

The different sized numbers also help emphasise certain features in the magazine. Paul McCartney's issue has the biggest font, then Richard Ashcroft, the Courteeners, Malcolm McLaren and the rest all the same sized. This is to put the issues in a hyeraki of importance in acceptance to the ideology of the magazine. It is similar to a news show where they would call out the headlines in order of most important to the ideology of the news show.

the large, thick, red strap line along the top highlights the masthead, "Q Contents". The simple title makes it easier for the reader to locate and scan down. On the right and side they have decided to incorporate a small image of this issues front cover and the issue number "287". On the bottom there is the q website address asking readers to subscribe and along the left hand side there is the photography credits.

Summary of Analysis
From analysing this contents page I have learned that a contents can be two pages. I have also learned how to use large and small images in an appropriate way and the same with font size. I have also found that continuity with images and colour schemes is highly important to create an effective house style throughout. I have also found out how to subtly credit photographers and how to advertise subscriptions and website addresses.