AS MEDIA STUDIESMAIN TASK - RESEARCH

Katie Edwards

The Masthead is bold, tying in with the artist. It links visually by colour to the artist’s lipstick and nails, as well as the cover lines (pink). It stands out effectively against the plain background and clashes effectively with Rihanna’s outfit, making it visually interesting. It is also in the left third which allows it to be seen when stacked on a shelf.

Price and barcode conventionally displayed, essential to sell copies of the magazine. The are small enough however not to distract from the main selling points (cover lines, main image).

Cover lines state a list of artists relevant to ‘today’ (present time), which appeals to readers that want to be informed of current music trends. Written as a list, it is effective as it shows that the magazine have a clear understanding and knowledge of music which will be familiar to the reader. The main font is sans serif which conveys a modern element, with the font underneath being serif which contrasts to look visually attractive but not is not too noticeable.

Main image is a mid shot of artist Rihanna, in which she is leaning to one side – posing – suggesting vanity. She is staring directly into the camera, which conveys her confidence and ‘boldness’. On a shoulder is a ‘parrot’ which expresses her music style – individual – supported by electric blue eye makeup, which could work to attract female readers. She is also dressed stylishly, which shows her success and wealth. The background is plain which allows the reader to focus on the artist, but still looks interesting through a fade of colour (grey/white). The Rule of Thirds is used effectively as Rihanna spans each third, each third featuring something interesting which allows the magazine to be seen on a shop shelf.

Main cover line anchors the image, showing the reader who the artist is. It supports the idea that Rihanna is confident and somewhat rebellious with the use of swearing, adding drama and excitement for the reader. This shows that the artist has not held back during interview and works to entice readers to buy the magazine.

MAGAZINE COVER : NME

The main image is black and white, which will stand out on a shelf against other magazines in colour, attracting the readers eye. All three artists are placed in front of the Masthead in a mid long shot, which suggests the magazine ‘MOJO’ is well known. All are smartly dressed (suits, heels and a dress), which conveys the idea that this is a classics edition, rather than featuring modern new music. This is supported by the ‘black and white’ of what is usually associated with an old photograph.

The main cover line is partly in the colour gold, and features the word ‘greatest’ and the image of stars. This effectively conveys the ‘classic’ element of the edition, along with the genre ‘Motown’

Insert images accompany some of the cover lines. These images are in colour, which contrast effectively against the main image.

The masthead stands out and spans the entire page, across each third. It ‘matches’ the black and white of the photo and demonstrates a house style, with sans serif font.

Cover lines state a list of artists relevant to the magazine, although some may not be deemed ‘classics’ or ‘motown’. This is an attempt to attract readers who are not fans of ‘motown’ but are instead a fan of ‘Snow Patrol’– it gives these people another reason to read the magazine.

A barcode is conventionally included, essential for selling the magazine.

Here, a puff is used to advertise a free CD, which entices readers to buy the magazine.

MAGAZINE COVER: MOJO

The main image shows artist Matt Bellamy from Muse. His expression is quite angry, and he his body language suggests he is smashing the guitar that he holds on the Masthead. This is a sign of rebellion, and is largely associated with music of the ‘rock’ genre, which will appeal to the fans. He is unshaven, which suggests masculinity, and could convey a sense of disobedience (to follow a trend), and will appeal to male readers. The background is plain grey, which allows the reader to focus on the artist.

The main cover line anchors the image with the word ‘MUSE’, which explains to the reader who the main image features. The words ‘out of control’ and ‘axe’ convey a sense of rebellion to the reader which may entice them to purchase the magazine. The word MUSE’ is sans serif, like the larger font of the rest of the cover lines, which demonstrates the sense of a house style., with the smaller font is serif.

The header features a selling line, written in serif font. ‘Biggest’ suggests the magazine is popular, which may entice people to buy that music magazine rather than a less popular one.

The cover lines list various music artists as to appeal to their fans. The words ‘greatest nut jobs’ convey the idea that the artists featured are wild or defiant in some way, which adds excitement or drama for the reader.

The Masthead ‘Q’ visually ties in with the image; shattered as a result of being smashed by the artist’s guitar. It is bright red, a colour associated with danger or passion, which is again aesthetically pleasing.

An insert image is used of ‘The Beatles’ along with a cover line. This will attract fans of the band, especially using the words ‘200 things you didn’t know’, enticing them to buy the magazine and find out.

The word ‘Plus’ as a cover line suggests that the magazine is packed with information, appealing to the reader as it shows they get a lot of content for their money.

MAGAZINE COVER: Q

Conventional date, which shows the reader that the issue is weekly (reminding them when to buy it), and relates to events within that week.

CONTENT PAGE: NME

Insert image of a man holding an acoustic guitar, and contrasted with the man holding an electric guitar on stage with lighting, it shows that NME features artists with fan bases of all sizes.

Features articles on music festivals, which shows that NME have an understanding of events, not just artists, in the music world. The words in the cover line such as ‘crying’, ‘first aid’ and ‘blood’ conveys danger which is exciting to a reader.

Large images work effectively to visually entice the reader to purchase the magazine, rather than lots of text. The images feature a range of camera shot types (long shot, medium shot), in both colour and black and white.

Bold numbers are placed around the page to direct the reader to features, rather than in a list form. There is however a ‘plus’ section which shows the reader that there are more articles of interest than can be placed with images. It gives the impression that the magazine is full of content, and worth purchasing.

Features images of both males and females, conveying that the music magazine is aimed at both men and women.

CONTENT PAGE: VIBE MAGAZINE

The title ‘CONTENTS’ subverts conventions, as the words is spread across three lines. This is visually interesting to the reader, and conveys the sense that the magazine is modern, hinting at the types of artists/genres that will be featured (modern – linking to the main image; Kanye West).

The background is plain, apart from a faded blue ‘V’ – the logo of Vibe magazine. This again conveys the sense that they are modern, whilst also reminding the reader which magazine it is (reinforcing the brand).

The main image is black and white, apart from a single red heart which appears to be being grabbed by what looks to be a woman’s hand. This suggests that although it is primarily a music magazine, it also delves into other aspects of life, and is supported by the text ‘fashion’. This entices the reader to purchase the magazine as they want to find out why this heart is featured. Kanye West’s expression is also very serious, and suggests that the magazine is focused and professional.

Features are conventionally placed in list form. This allows room for the main image; the main selling point on the contents page.

Features include the words ‘140 SONGS TO DOWNLOAD NOW!’ It is instructive, and written in bold and in capitals, and an exclamation mark, it makes the reader feel they are missing out if they do not buy the magazine and download the songs. It is also easy to read.

The words ‘discover great music’ works almost as a selling line, and entices the reader to buy the magazine as it features ‘great’ music.

This image features an extreme close up, focusing on Lana Del Rey’s eye. This is a direct mode of address, which allows the audience to feel a connection to the magazine. There is also blood running down her face; dangerous and exciting to the reader, it entices them to read on.There is a clear, bold page number placed in a bright red box which is eye-catching.

Images feature both men and women, and suggest that the magazine is aimed at both genders.

The Masthead (brand/name of the magazine) is reinforced on the contents page, which works to remind the reader which magazine they are reading and should continue to purchase.

Features are conventionally displayed in a list, which conveys the idea that the magazine is packed full of articles, and is worth being purchased.

CONTENT PAGE: Q

Kerrang! DOUBLE PAGE SPREADThe title of the article, ‘TEEN SPIRIT’, suggests that is it aimed at teenagers, or young adults. The font is sans serif, and appears to be customised to look ‘destroyed’, and the background is red; conveying danger, and rebellion that is often associated with youth. The word ‘spirit’ however is not usually associated with bad behaviour, which contrasts well with the main image of the featured band beating someone up. It suggests that the magazine is modern, and do not feature what is perceived to be traditional ideas of how people should behave, linking to the ‘broken’ font.

The image of the band is very large, taking up the entire left page. This will work to attract fans of Rolo Tomassi, suggesting the target audience.

There is a section labelled ‘WHAT ARE ROLO TOMASSI MADE OF?’, featuring images to show what the band is essentially ‘made of’; disco dancing, keyboards, The Dillinger Escape Plan (which entices fans of this band to read the article), and anger, which reinforces the stereotypical view of Kerrang!’: rebellious, angry, and destructive.

There is a pull out quote featuring the words “love dancing and screaming” which contrast, and are not generally associated. The fact that Eva Spence loves screaming seems slightly defiant, exciting the reader.

VIBE MAGAZINE – DOUBLE PAGE SPREADThe main image is in colour, with Solange Knowles wearing a bright red dress, which is particularly eye-catching against the black and white of the background. Wearing heels, she looks glamorous, attracting her fans (and possibly that of her sister, Beyoncé).

Controversially, the article features the words ‘FORGET HER SISTER.’ which will work to attract not only fans of Beyoncé, but people that are interested in current artists; ‘SOLANGE KNOWLES CREATED ONE OF THE YEAR’S BEST R&B ALBUMS’.

The words ‘I just want people to fall back and enjoy the music.’ makes Solange seem genuine, and truly interested in the music she creates, and how it is consumed. This allows her to connect with the reader, and encourages them to read the article.

The word ‘Volume’ has an unconventional layout.

There are 7 smaller black and white images of Solange Knowles in black and white, in various poses, still wearing the outfit chosen for the main image. It conveys her lively personality, and is visually interesting which will attract readers to the page.

NME – DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

The words ‘EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT…’ is bold, and in sans serif font, making it easy to read. It conveys the sense that NME is modern, reinforcing that NME understands present music trends. The word ‘everyone’ makes the reader feel as if they are missing out if they decide not to read the magazine. This method is again used at the bottom of the left page, with the words ‘NEED TO KNOW’.

A puff, containing the words ‘NME LOVES’ is placed next to the title of the article. It suggests that as the magazine loves ‘The Teenagers’, you as a reader should too.

The main image features ‘The Teenagers’, which works to attract their fans. They laying down, which conveys the sense that they are lazy, a teenage stereotype. There are also pictures of glamour models and women plastered to the walls, which again is stereotypical of modern teenage boys. This is further supported by the words underneath the title; ‘young, dumb…’

Serif font has been used for band names, and sans serif font for other text.