Magazine 2 Research 2

Rock Music Magazine:

Masthead: The title of this magazine is 'Kerrang!' as it is clearly stated at the top, in which some of the letters are covered by the main image. This shows that the Masthead is popular as it doesn't need to be seen, this is because the same type of magazine is common as the title is shown on every single magazine. The image is the main focus as it stands out and is placed in the middle of the page. The fact that the image taken is a medium shot allows the audience to see the types of clothes the models are wearing. The image is aimed at their fans which are in black, red and white as they are stereotypical colours targeted at young middle aged people who have an interest in rock music. The fact that the image is taken of men who are placed in a certain position; two men are in front and a couple are behind suggests they are in some sort of rock band and work together. It also shows that the men were position in a certain form in terms of body language therefore they are posing. The facial expressions indicate that their music is very serious in which is therefore dedicated to people that are serious about what they listen to.

The Straplines which are on the top and bottom of the page tell the audience what the magazine it include suggesting that that names stated are common and known as part of the rock genre. The fact that it states 'Plus' in red capital letters tell us that the straplines consists of people which is are extra part of the magazine. The magazine has used extra promotions in order to gain more buyers. The straplines are in white who are placed at the top and bottom of the page in capital letters stand out as they have used white which stands out from the background as the magazine cover mainly uses black and red.

The tagline which is ‘THE BEST IN TOWN GO GLOBAL’ suggests that the men in the image which is a band are now known to be even popular as their band is going worldwide. The fact that the tagline uses words such as ‘Best’ and ‘Town’ suggests that the band did not travel many places in which not of their fans were therefore able to see them real. However, the word ‘best’ shows that they are being stereotypical as they think that the rock genre is better than the rest such as ‘pop’ and ‘grime’. The tagline uses red in which stand out as they on top of a black background which is just used for the tagline the fact that line ends with an exclamation mark gives emphasise as it indicates that the audience should be surprised about it.

The words, ‘The Blackout’ are placed on the main image and top of the tagline in a way to show what the magazine includes. It is eye catching as it stands out against the image in which fans should recognise the name which is why it has been placed in that way.

The cover also uses a kicker which is placed on top of the straplines .The kicker stands out as the number ‘5’ is larger in terms of font size compared to the rest of the words.  However, the fact that the colour of the font is yellow stands out and also fits in with the generic conventions of rock as it is one of the colours used often for the genre. The fact that the colour symbolises happiness and the main image used does not show this through the facial expressions shows that even though rock may use the colours red and black which are quite depressing and dull suggest that the personality of the men does not clash as they may be living normal happy lives. The fact that two images are used indicates other known rock bands which are named above the images. One image uses a close up/mid shot as it also shows similar ways in which the image on the cover is related as the men also positioned the fact that one man is wearing glasses, and one is wearing a hat and they are not looking all directed all us suggests that the picture artistic . All members in the bad are wearing black and white which tells us that they all one group as they have something in common in which we see all members as being equal. The second image is taken in terms of rules and thirds and in depth. This is because the man in the left hand corner is shown to be looking somewhere in which we cannot tell as he is wearing black shaded glasses. However, the fact that he is not standing completely straight but is tilting to the side suggests that he looking at something. In the background there are men which also are members of the bans. The image uses a long shot as we can see a full image from head to toe in which they used to show their clothes as well as their body language. The men are posing with their arms crossed which highlights that they are standing in a way to show that they are cool.  The kicker has been used so that a larger audience can buy the magazine as it includes free gifts which are the five posters. A kicker has been used to promote so that they are gain more buyers. As a result, it might catch eye attention in which people who do not like or know about rock may therefore buy the magazine to find out about them. Also, it also attracts fans as they would want to have the gifts if they are to do with certain rock bands in which they may like. Therefore, fans may buy the magazine to gain the free gift instead of actually read what the article says.

The contrast of the cover is from red, black, and white to yellow.  All the colours stand out as they being used for different purposes as well as being used as one of the generic conventions. The fact that the kicker used yellow suggests that it will attract customers as the colour is quite bright and represents cheerful and is a positive colour therefore it sets the mood of the cover. The four colours used are simple and used in the right ways in which have been thoughtful as the cover does not look like the colours have blended in with each other but looks quite professional. Also, the layout has been used thoughtfully to make the look like the rock genre as well as attract as much customers as they can by using free gifts. The bar code is place on the right hand size horizontally



Masthead: This is’RnB’ as it is clearly in blue and stands out as the logo. It suggest that the logo is common in which people are familiar with and therefore popular. It also indicates that the logo is used on all magazines. However, the use of blue makes it fit in with the rest of the cover as it usually the same colour. This highlights the fact that different magazine covers using the same genre and masthead ‘RNB’ change the colour of it to a similar colour which fits in which their magazine. For example: if a magazine cover had their main colours of their cover as red and white, they may change the Masthead to red so that it doesn’t look unusual.

The straplines are the second main focus of the magazine. This is shown through the use of the font. The font is in bold, capital letters which suggests that it is important as it gives the audience clues on what else might be in the magazine.The main image is the picture of Melanie Fiona as her name is indicated below the picture. The image is a mid-shot as it addressing the audience. The image takes a large amount of the cover which indicates that  it is the main focus. The fact that the lady is posing in a masculine way through the use of her leg and arm gesture as she is sitting down suggests that the target audience is teenage girls and boys aged between 15-20. However, the fact that the image of a lady suggest that it is mainly targeted at boys as it attracts the opposite gender.Contrast: The colours used as a whole on this magazine front cover is blue, black and white. These are masculine colours as blue is associated with the male gender. The fact that the background is plain white allows the main image which is placed on the right hand side to stand out from the text.

Masthead: This is’RnB’ as it is clearly in blue and stands out as the logo. It suggest that the logo is common in which people are familiar with and therefore popular. It also indicates that the logo is used on all magazines. The Masthead font isn’t very formal or casual. This sets the genre as it shows that the audience are of a younger generation in which may still be at school and also use slang. This is shown as young teenagers use technology such as phones via text messaging and social networking sites. These are common in which teenagers do not use Standard English to communicate with others as they tend to use words that are shortened and easier to understand.  The font of the Masthead may also be seen on graffiti walls in which teenagers make by writing with permanent markers and using font that to them looks ‘cool’.

Tagline: Music,Lifestyle,Fashion suggests what the magazine is going to be about. The word ‘fashion’ is very feminine and therefore targeted at girls. However, the words ‘Music’ and ‘Lifestyle’ is a word used which targets a large audience as many young people listen to music. For example: technology has improved in terms of the society we are living In now therefore, technology has improved to an extent where it allows many people gain access to music such as through ipods, MP3 players also the fact that radio is fitted in many phones. This means that many young people are able to buy updated new phone which consist of a radio, when they are on the go they can listen to music instead of having a wired radio that needs to be plugged in. The tagline uses the rule of three as each word links in with each other but isn't worded in a way that make the audience recognise how they link as they are not been put in a sentence.

The text place on the image which states ‘Melanie Fiona’ attracts attention towards the audience.  This is done through the use of the image and the way they have placed the text/title on top of it, making sure that the image is not covered.  The title is in capital letters which is the name of the character or the main image which is an ‘rnb’ singer. This shows that the name of the person put in that position is so that the audience know who she is. This shows that name must be familiar to most teenagers who listen and have interest in r’n’b music.  The use of having someone common on your magazine attracts more buyers as they may be a fan of the person and therefore will buy the magazine for the sake of reading more about that person.

The straplines are the second main focus of the magazine. This is shown through the use of the font. The font is in bold, capital letters which suggests that it is important as it gives the audience clues on what else might be in the magazine. The straplines have been place in an alignment which is in a certain order which makes the magazine look professional as the layout which includes the tagline, image etc  are placed so that the whole magazine looks formal as well as making the cover fit in with the generic conventions and the ‘rnb’ genre. The straplines use a good use of contrast through the use of blue and black as the blue is in capitals and use a bigger front agaist the black writing. The also shows that the blue words are much important as they stand out in which names have been used and the writing below gives the audience a sense of how the names are important by telling us what the artistic names will be about in which the magazine will conclude of. Also, it gives the audience the first impressions as they know what to expect of the magazine to be about, therefore a flavour of the magazine in which will Interest them and make them buy the magazine.

The main image is the picture of Melanie Fiona as her name is indicated below the picture. The image is a mid-shot as it addressing the audience. The image takes a large amount of the cover which indicates that  it is the main focus. The fact that the lady is posing in a masculine way through the use of her leg and arm gesture as she is sitting down suggests that the target audience is teenage girls and boys aged between 15-20. However, the fact that the image of a lady suggest that it is mainly targeted at boys as it attracts the opposite gender.

Contrast: The main colours on this magazine cover are blue, black and a little tone of white. This is shown through the use of the tagline, image and the Masthead. These are masculine colours as blue is asscociated with the male gender. By using just two main colours makes the cover look professional and sophisticated. This is because the colours allow the audience to understand each part of the cover and where is what, such as the straplines which give the audience a picture of what’s inside. The colours of the layout shown at a glance are bright which makes it eye catching but also grabs the right target audience.

The fact that the background is plain white allows the main image which is placed on the right hand side to stand out from the text. The costume of the lady which is a blue dress also emphasises that the Image is trying to attract the opposite sex as well as the same as the image is of a lady and not a man. This is stereotypical as it is suggesting that the use of having a particular gender will attract the opposite sex.  The use of her hair is also blue which shows that the image taken is artistic and also may have been Photoshop. Therefore, the fact that image is been put in that certain way shows there is a purpose behind the image.
Also, the image itself uses different lightings. The tone of colour and texture of the singers arm is darker compared to her hands, left leg and face. This shows that the image may have been taken in an area which determines light in different angles or may have been edited though the use of Photoshop. The character is wearing makeup such as blue eyeliner which fits in with the colour scheme. The headband on her head is used as a prop which shows that it is an urban magazine. Jewellery such as the big ring, bracelet and necklace emphasis that it is aimed at men as women tend to prefer charms and small things instead of bling that is big in which is associated with men who dress up wearing an a lot of bling which stand out and is stereotypical. The women’s hair is placed in a way in which shows that she doesn’t really care about her looks as it isn’t very professional or neat and just been put to the side. Therefore, this is a generic convention which shows that it is aimed at teenage girls who are not fussy about their looks and more into their music.

The barcode is placed on the right hand bottom corner which is clearly shown to the audience as it is easily recognisable.

College front page

This is the task we did at the start of the project in which we started off with. The magazine front cover shows that the Masthead is placed on the top of the page. The image used is a medium shot showing pupils that go to that 6th form. Also, the tagline at the bottom of the page asks a question so that the people who would want to go to that college will know what courses that college offers. The front cover has'nt got a main colour scheme as I have used the colours red and blue. I have included the college logo so that the audience will know what college they will be going to. 'Apply now' is written in bold capital letters so that it is eye catching. It is one of the main attentions of the front cover as the target audience which are pupils at the age of 16-19 will look at straight away.