Wednesday, 28 November 2012

Contents page drafts and ideas

Draft 1

Notes on this draft:
  • I would make sure all the columns were the same size- This will make the page look more professional and would make it a lot easier for the readers to read. However I understand that with my chosen genre the style tends to be more cluttered which is why I have split it up into to halves. The top half will be for images and the layout will have two images overlapping each other to give this effect.
  • I defiantly wanted to include a editors comment section as I think its an effective way to connect with the readers. I will use informal, chatty language to make the readers feel as if I am talking directly to them.   

Monday, 26 November 2012

5. Magazine Analysis

Cover Page Analysis

Main Imagethe main image they've chosen for this magazine represents their specified genre of music very well as the clothing Rob Zombie’s wearing is very Gothic as its all very dark colours and the leather jacket this shows that the majority of the magazine would most likely be about heavy metal.
The facial expression on Rob Zombies face is quite aggressive with could symbolise that the magazine is heavy metal as most people link those characteristics to this particular genre of music.The lighting on Rob Zombies face is quite dark especially around his eyes this could imply that he might be hiding a secret that he might reveal in his article which would then influence the readers to read on and find out 



Masthead
The masthead is positioned behind the main images head this could imply that it’s a well-known, and can be recognized by the font being used. The way they've positioned the word metal (going up the side of the H) makes it look more unique.
The colour they've chosen for the masthead is quite an aggressive colour which then fits well to the theme of the cover page as Rob Zombies facial expression and the genre of music.

 Main Headline
The main headline they've chosen is about Rob Zombie which they've positioned at the top of the page in almost the same font size as the masthead. This makes it stand out and clear to readers what the main story is. This font they've used looks  as if its dripping and looks like the font used in old horror films. I think they did this intentionally to fit with the Robs last name Zombie. 

Contents Page Analysis!
(couldn't get a photo as my copy had been drawn on)

Colour theme:
The colour theme for the contents page matched the colour of their logo so in this case red. This is a good way of linking the two pages together. The colour red also links with their chosen genre, heavy metal, as most people think red implies aggressiveness which is also the impression heavy metal music gives off. The background colour supports the idea of the colour scheme to symbolise the genre as its grey with an added effect to make it look like real metal.

Layout:
The layout on this contents page was set into two main columns, both the same size to make it look more professional and easier to read. In these columns they've headlined them features and regulars, this gives off the impression that costumers buy the magazine regularly so they understand what sort of things they include each week. This will look good for new costumers as they will think that the magazine is popular and worth buying as it must be good in order for costumers to buy it regularly. On the right hand side there is a separate column for the editors letter. This makes the readers feel that the editor wants a close connection with their readers and want to involve them in the magazine and update them with everything going on , the language they've used is informal and chatty. This makes the readers feel like they're talking directly to them in the same way they would to their friends.

Images:The images on this page are arranged on the right hand side in a block. The images are slightly overlapping each other, because of this technique it makes you look at the picture in order, it makes you look at the top image first then work your way down. By having all the images close together it makes the music they're representing seem more angry as most are dark images and positioned in a group.  On this images are the page numbers this makes the page look more interesting and breaks up the text rather than having to list down all the main articles. They've made the page numbers in order of when you look at each image. In other words the further down the page you look the further into the magazine the article is.
All of the images in this page are quite dark and the connotations given off reflects on the genre of music the magazine focus' on as its aggressive and seems almost dangerous . The images they've used are all of famous bands so the target audience automatically responds to this.


Double Page Spread:

Colour Scheme:
The colour scheme for this double page spread is quite dark and after reading the article I decided fits very well as the article talks about the struggles this band, Motorhead, had to tackle with.  This fits with the connotations of black such as depression, death and mystery. 

Image:
I think the image they’ve chosen represents the article extremely well due to the colour and editing. In the photo they’ve made the section around the jack Daniels bottles creating the illusion of being drunk. This then links with the article as he discusses about drinking. By editing the colour so it’s grey also reflects on the idea of it being in the past and how it was a struggle back then. As the connotations of grey suggests anxiety and fear. The fact he’s smoking in the photo could suggest he’s under a lot of stress which would influence readers to read the article and find out why. 
Unlike in most images we don’t have direct eye contact however we see his whole face in the mirror, this may suggest that he is hiding something that he might reveal in the article. This angle could also represent the genre of music as it makes him look dangerous and dark.





Friday, 23 November 2012

4. Magazine Analysis

Cover Page Analysis:

Posters:
Adding the extra posters influences buyers as it gives them something they can keep and use. The small previews of the posters show that they’re fairly rare photo shoots because they’re specifically designed for Halloween. The way they've positioned them makes the layout interesting as they’re crooked. The words they've used also impacts the Halloween theme by using the word ‘Spooktacular’ and placing it on a pumpkin

Masthead:
The masthead has been positioned in its usual place at the top and behind the main images head. They've used the same font as usual so it’s easily recognised.

Main Image:
The main image they've chosen for this front page shows that it’s a special edition to a usual one as its Halloween themed. This would influence readers to buy it as it would include special extras such as the posters. The picture they've chosen also links to their chosen music genre as the facial expression on Matt Tuckers face is slightly aggressive and looks like he’s shouting and being loud like the music

Colour Theme:
The colour theme for this issue was based around the Halloween theme therefore the colours they’ve chosen are red, black and orange. This helps sell the magazine as the time it was being sold most people would be shopping for Halloween items and those are the colours they’d be looking out for and would stand out to them.








Contents Page Analysis


Image:
The image on this page is based around the Halloween theme so they've made the image more simple to take the attention of the well-known band down to try and make the pumpkin the main focus. In order to do this they've dressed the band members in neutral, boring colours. Then chose a simple light background. The lighting of this image is really bright which is quite un-usual in a rock magazine but in this case it was effective as it contrasted again the pumpkin making it stand out more. This image also draws the readers in as each band member has direct eye contact.
Each band member has a different facial expression . This could have been done intentionally to show their own personalities this could make the readers want to find out more about the band and find out what they’re like.
In this magazine issue they've focused on a Halloween theme. They’ve managed to approach this by their choice of colour and images. For example in their main image on this page they've placed a pumpkin almost in the centre on the page, so this is one of the first things you see on the page as it contrasts against the dull colours the members of the band are wearing. The picture of the pumpkin makes the contents page has a strong link to the cover page. They've taken the pumpkin idea further on this page by making the colour scheme the same. They've used the orange on the main headlines with a black background behind it to make it stand out more and seem darker to fit the ‘scary’ theme.
Another way they’ve made this page Halloween themed and link with the cover page is the header background. The background looks like dripping blood; they used the same thing on the cover page. This then helps keep the theme flowing throughout the whole magazine which makes it look more professional 


 Editors message:
In this magazine they always include an editor’s message on the bottom left hand corner. I think this is good to have as it makes the readers feel that the editor wants a personal connection with them. The language he uses is informal and chatty which magnifies the idea of a personal connection as this technique makes it feel as if you are being spoken directly to as if you were a friend. This may influence the target audience to buy the magazine more as they feel like they are being treated individually and not just another costumer.

Theme:
In this magazine issue they’ve focused on a Halloween theme. They’ve managed to approach this by their choice of colour and images. For example in their main image on this page they’ve placed a pumpkin almost in the centre on the page, so this is one of the first things you see on the page as it contrasts against the dull colours the members of the band are wearing. The picture of the pumpkin makes the contents page has a strong link to the cover page. They’ve taken the pumpkin idea further on this page by making the colour scheme the same. They’ve used the orange on the main headlines with a black background behind it to make it stand out more and seem darker to fit the ‘scary’ theme.
Another way they’ve made this page Halloween themed and link with the cover page is the header background. The background looks like dripping blood; they used the same thing on the cover page. This then helps keep the theme flowing throughout the whole magazine which makes it look more professional 



Double Page Spread:

Image:
The image being used in this double page spread is effective as it interprets the genre and target audience as they’ve chosen to show the tattoos by taking of the top. The choice of lighting empathises this also because by making it very light the black tattoos contrasts against its causing it to stand out more. Young Guns are also a popular band among the genre so the target audience automatically recognises who it is increasing their interest The eye contact in this image is very strong as his eyes are positioned where your eyes fall on the page. Also his eyes are very bright and as there is very little colour on this double page spread it stands out and grabs the reader’s attention.
This image is very affective at tying the two pages together as the positioning of the photo over laps the two pages.
 










Wednesday, 21 November 2012

3. Magazine Analysis


Cover Page Analysis

Masthead
The masthead in this issue is big and bold; they put it at the top of the page which is the most focal point of the cover. NME uses the same font and colour for every issue and therefore is easily recognised, also by using the colour red and the large capital font makes it easy to see from afar and ties the colour scheme together making it look more professional


Colour Scheme
The colour scheme the have used for this magazine is mostly black, white and red. Using the colours white and black makes the magazine look more professional and the red could symbolise their passion for music

Barcode/ Price
The barcode on the front page makes it look more professional and realistic and makes it look more complete. The price is shown In small print beside it, this helps the reader  read all the good features about the magazine and whether or not they want to buy the magazine and weigh up how much they think it’s worth before seeing the actual selling price.

Main Image
The main image they’ve used is very effective as it draws readers in by making ‘mike skinner’ have direct eye contact in the photo and they’ve then place the image where your eyes  fall on the page. The facial expression on Mike’s face is quite serious which could indicate that the article could be about a serious matter which the readers will find entertaining or that the article itself was taken seriously and that you can trust that everything written is truthful and you can believe it to be true.

Images
Including more images makes the readers wonder what they’re about making them want to read on. The smaller images they’ve used on this particular issue is some examples of free posters inside, this makes the reader feel as if they are gaining more for their money. By positioning the images slanted and overlapping one another it makes it look more interesting 

Contents Page Analysis

Layout
The layout for NME’s contents page is very simple which makes it quick and easy for readers to find that particular page they need. They’ve highlighted the headlining stories by including images and putting
 the page number in big, bold red writing with a white background in the corners.  Including images also help break up the writing so it doesn't look over crowded and that would lose the reader’s attention.
QuotesOn this page they’ve included an interesting quote from the article. This quote was chosen carefully to grab the reader’s attention as it is slightly bizarre and would influence the reader to read and find out the story behind it. Another reason the quote draws in readers is by using making the font size larger making it stand out and by using italics. This technique is effective as it implies it’s been spoken and empathises how unusual it is.
Headline
The headline in this issue is different to most magazines as they haven’t used the traditional ‘contents page’ this makes the page more interesting. It’s also similar style to a newspaper by the use of font and choice of words such as ‘this week’ this implies that all there articles are up to date and it the latest news. Adding the date underneath also strengthens this idea, and also supports the idea of it being the latest news.

Double Page Spread Analysis

Layout
The layout of the magazine is pretty simple. The text is set out in five columns this makes it easy for the readers to read as its more spaced out and not cluttered which would put them of reading. The font they’ve used is clear to read and looks professional this can make the readers feel that what their reading was taken seriously and can believe what their reading is truthful, this would influence them to buy the magazine more often. In this article they’ve also added extra slightly relevant information in boxes which has a different background colour this then makes it clear that its not a part of the main story. The font been used in these is also different.

Quotes
In this article they’ve highlighted carefully chosen quotes. The quotes they’ve chosen grab the reader’s attention as they give some sort of indication of what the article is about but without giving it completely away so it makes the readers wonder and influences them to read on.

Main Image
The main image of this article is positioned to go over both of the pages, this helps tie the double page spread together.

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

2. Magazine Analysis



Cover Page Analysis



Main Image   In this magazine the main image they used is lead vocalist 'Gus Wood' from the rock band Young Guns Has mentioned in bold, big writing positioned over the top. This could be because the band is quite well known and popular this would appeal to fans of theirs. However from the photo they have chosen it could grab anyone who is interested in that genre of music as they have chosen a picture where you can see the vocalists tattoos as it fits with that stereotype. Gus Woods facial expression could also draw the readers attention as his eyes are positioned where your eyes fall on the page giving direct eye contact, and the serious, focused look he is pulling would make the readers curious as to why and would influence them to read the article. 


Header                                                          The header on this magazine shows a few little extras included in the magazine such as the posters making the reader feel as if they're gaining more from buying the magazine. The posters they have selected are of popular bands so the majority of people into this genre of music would most likely want these. The colour they selected to go behind the words is a bright yellow to made it eye catching and contrasts against the red. They also made the 7 a darker bolder colour and made the font size larger, this empathises the idea of there being a large amount of posters inside. 

Masthead   The masthead on this front cover is positioned behind the main pictures head, as it is a well known magazine and can be recognised by its own font. The font they use links with the magazine very well as it rough around the edges and fits with the 'rock' element of the magazine. Another way the masthead links is the actual name itself as its an onomatopoeia, kerrang sounds like the strumming coming from a guitar and therefore has the musical aspect of it.

Layout  The layout for Kerrang magazine tends to be the same for most issues, this makes it more easier and convenient for their regular readers as all the subheadings are usually in the same place. This page is split up into columns this makes it a lot easier to read but still have a fair amount of information on the page without it looking to crammed, they've also used different sized images and  a mixed range of style and size of font which would help grab the readers attention and keep entertained. The majority of the page is taken up by a competition, this stands out. 

Contents Page Analysis

Language  The language used is informal and quite 'chatty', for example at the bottom right hand corner the editors has written two columns just talking to the readers about what to expect. The use of informal language makes it seem more friendly and engages the readers more.

Colour Scheme and Images   The colour scheme for this page is mostly red, yellow and black with a white background. The white background contrasts against the big image on the left hand side this makes it stand out more and makes it the first thing the readers will look at.







Double Page Spread:

Image:The image being used in this double page spread is effective as it interprets the genre and target audience as they’ve chosen to show the tattoos by taking of the top. The choice of lighting empathises this also because by making it very light the black tattoos contrasts against its causing it to stand out more. Young Guns are also a popular band among the genre so the target audience automatically recognises who it is increasing their interest The eye contact in this image is very strong as his eyes are positioned where your eyes fall on the page. Also his eyes are very bright and as there is very little colour on this double page spread it stands out and grabs the reader’s attention.
This image is very affective at tying the two pages together as the positioning of the photo over laps the two pages.