Front cover analysis 5

Magazine analysis 3

Q magazine

I researched another Q magazine and found this one was completely different to the other two. I really like the use of the grey box at the side as it is distinct against the background and grabs your attention. I would like to use this on my front cover as it looks professional.

I think the mid three shot works very well as the band Green Day is very well known and I think mid shots are the best to show emotion in the face and body language to emphasise attitude.

The image of Green Day in suits suggest the magazine is stylish yet with the black top with stars on shoes it focus’s on a younger demographic yet can be sold to a wide audience.

The shadows on half of there faces creates intensity and makes them seem harsher. This adds to the gritty nature of the magazine.

The white bold writing really stands out against the back ground. I want to use a colour of font that completely contrasts against the background of my front cover.

I like the lining in red to section bits of the writing off underneath Nirvana. I would like to use that idea in my magazine as it looks professional and sections the writing off well without it looking cramped.

Also the red font next to the white font stands out really well and links to the back ground. The colour scheme works really well as it fits well with the background image.

Front cover analysis 4

Magazine Analysis 4

Acoustic Magazine

Acoustic magazine also links with Q magazine as they both use famous celebrities on there front covers which in my opinion is a huge selling point as it gives an idea of what will be in the magazine. For example it may have a double page spread on an interview with the famous musician. Also Acoustic use a medium close up which works really well as it shows the body language of the character and the facial expression. And in this image James Morrison appears with a mysterious look on his face which links with the image of Madonna on the Q magazine front cover as she had the same type of facial expression. Also the artificial lighting creates shadow. In this image one half of his face is shadowed which suggests that the magazine is mysterious and gives off a gritty personality as did Q does which is what I really like about both these magazines.

Also the banner used in this magazine at the bottom as did Q works effectively as it stands out, I would like to use this as I think it makes the magazine look more professional.

Also the use of the bold clean looking font really works well in a magazine and stands out. I want to use this in my magazine as it makes them want to read on. I have noticed the use of size in fonts when researching into front covers is a huge factor when coming to create a front cover as it is important which bits you want to be read first and catch the eye as the first thing the reader reads may either make them read on or loose there interest.

Again the colour scheme uses five different colours as does Q and mixmag which I think is better than just a plain back and white themed magazine.

Front cover anaysis 3

Magazine analysis 3

Mix mag Magazine

This magazine is similar to the Q magazine the one I am using as my style model for my magazine as it features both younger and older Dj’s and bands for example: Paul Van Dyk is an older artist where as N*E*R*D are a reasonably younger band. Also the use of a main image of a woman in the back ground relates to the first Q magazine front cover. Also the colour scheme is different but uses six different colours as Q magazine does and they all stand out against each other which make’s it look more effective and eye catching.

This is also displayed like the first Q magazine which gives them a clear link with the main image of a female and different types of texts to make the audience want to read each different section of writing as it contrasts to the other font types.

Also the woman’s arm hides a bit of the magazines title which links to the first magazine I looked at as the Q was slightly covered. This emphasises confidence and makes the magazines personality stand out more because in my opinion confidence is extremely important as it makes the magazine seem more successful.

Also the bold font links with Q as that magazine also uses clear big bold fonts. Also the size of the bold fonts links with the large fonts on Q magazine. I intend to use clear bold font to make my magazine stand out more and look more professional as do mixmag and Q do.

Front cover analysis 2

Magazine front cover 2

Q Magazine

This is another one of Q magazine’s front covers which is a complete contrast to the one above as the text is more black than red and also the background is grey where as the one above is black. Also the main image of Lily Allen is a long shot with two jaguars I think this image doesn’t work as well as the one above because it doesn’t stand out enough. Also the grey background in my opinion looks boring and dull. Yet the use of using a celebrity through out there music magazines creates a constituency again making the magazine more recognisable.

Also the use of making the celebrities names nearly as big as the title again creates the confidence in the magazine and its personality is gritty and intense which draws the audience in.

I think the banner at the bottom works really well as it stands out. I would like to use a banner on my front cover as it seems to look successful. Also they have kept the same colour scheme: grey, white, blue, black and red. I think this colour scheme works well as it isn’t too many colours to over crowd the page yet they all stand out against each other which looks effective.

Also I will use the use of mentioning famous musicians old and young to create a wider demographic as Q cleverly does. As it uses a young musician as we all know Lily Allen and the older bands such as Oasis.

Front cover analysis 1

Magazine Front cover 1

Q Magazine

This magazine’s target group is aimed at teenagers aged 15+. The use of well known younger bands such as Girls aloud and the Kaiser Chiefs is a very effective technique to use to draw a younger demographic in. I believe this is why Q magazine is so, successful as it uses popular celebrities that a younger audience would want to read about. Yet the younger bands contrast with Madonna who has been a popular celebrity for about thirty odd years, yet she is still popular among today’s younger demographic. Q cleverly targets a wide range of demographic by its use of celebrities which works very well.

The colour scheme used works very well as the colours all stand out against another. Also I like the way the page is displayed for example the medium close up of Madonna draw’s the audience in. Also the use of her black glove and her clutching a hooded jacket suggests this magazine is gritty and mysterious which creates interest for the audience. Another major factor about the image of Madonna is her facial expression it looks harsh and mystifying which again adds to mysterious impression the magazine is going for. Also the industrial lighting that lights up her face makes her contrast with her black costume and makes her look innocent yet mysterious which is what I want to use in my magazine as I think using industrial lighting will make my picture stand out more and look more polished. In my magazine I would like to use a main image (a medium close up) to draw the audience in as this in my opinion is more effective than a group shot, long shot and two shot etc.

The way the name Q isn’t completely on show, shows the audience that this magazine is confident and doesn’t need to make its title extremely clear. This is another great aspect as it shows this magazine has a strong personality. Also the bold red font of the name Madonna in capital letters is almost as big as the title Q itself again shows confidence and I think confidence is a major selling factor in music magazines as it shows there more established. Also I like the way the fonts are all different sizes and fonts but link together by the colour scheme I think it works really effectively and stands out and is what I would like to do on my front cover.

The badge like image with the English flag in the background of it works well as it immediately draws your attention to it as it stands out against the black background and also the caption ‘The 50 best British albums voted by you.’ Makes this magazine more personalised which is a major factor.

Contents page analysis 5

Contents page analysis 5

Kerrang magazine

This is a complete contrast of Q and mixmag’s layout for there contents pages.

I did some research into more picture based contents pages and found that in my opinion do not work as well. I think the layout looks messy and there are too many pictures which distract you and confuse the readers.

The bold writing saying contents at the top right hand side of the page with the black box behind it works really well. But in comparison to Q using a banner in my opinion looks more attractive and more eye catching.

I like the neutral white background they have chosen as it doesn’t distract any attention away from the pictures.

The sub headings down the right hand side of the page work really well as they stand out yet the pictures still dominate the page.

On the other hand the pictures are a good technique to use as they seem to show a very harsh aggressive attitude emphasising Kerrang’s rock like attitude.

Contents page analysis 4

Contents page analysis 4

Mixmag Magazine

Mixmag magazine is a complete different genre to my style module Q magazine but there are similarities between the features they have used, for example in the first Q contents page analysis they have used a similar layout with the main image on one half of the page with the text running vertically down the page.

Also mixmag have used a banner at the bottom of the page again the first contents page analysis does this. The banner helps divide the page and I think this makes it easier to read.

The long shot of this male character singing and the dance like colours is a complete contrast to the image in analysis 3 as it has reds and blues to emphasise a dance like genre. Where as, Q use artificial light to create shadowing on the face to create a more gritty rock like genre.

Also the language used in this magazine is informal with words such as: ‘Crookers.’ Being used this again defines that it is for a younger demographic.

Contents pages do not look successful in my opinion if there is no main image to focus on as it is what the reader is first drawn to and gives off an impression of the magazine and possibly the musicians within the magazine.

Contents page analysis 3

Contents page analysis 3

Q Magazine

This is another contents page by Q magazine which contrasts with the other two contents pages as on the left hand side you can see they have used the blocky look with the information in the red box.

I think the red box is a great way to grab the reader’s attention I would like to use this in my own magazine as I think it works well.

Again the use of the border at the bottom of the page seems to stand out. The text used on this banner is colloquial language for example ‘I fart in your direction.’ This immediately indicated that it is for a younger demographic.

The image of the male character in a mid shot I really like because his facial expressions seems to be harsh giving off a gritty cutting edge personality.

When I looked at all of these different Q magazines contents pages they all differed but had a gritty like feel to them with the use of mostly blacks and greys with the occasional splash of white and red.

The banner across the top with ‘235 contents feb06’ works really well in different colours as the red black and grey al stand out against another which draws the eye to it. Also the big bold writing chosen for this banner looks effective.

Contents Page anaysis 2

Contents page analysis 2

Q magazine

The use of the large image of James Blunt works really effectively as the readers will be immediately attracted to his face. I like how they have chosen to do a close up of his face as it contrasts with the other contents page. I think this shows more confidence in the magazine as James Blunt is a famous popular musician but if the audience don’t like him it will make them uninterested in reading further, stereotypically speaking.

I think the use of ‘Features’ and ‘Every month’ category works really well as it gives the reader an insight as to what’s in the magazine monthly and I have researched into a few Q magazines and they always have pages on famous musicians and bands as in this one it focus’s on the Stereophonics and James Blunt.

The expression on James Morrison’s face seems mysterious as if he is thinking about something which creates interest for the readers. The image against the white background I think is a good choice as it doesn’t stand out completely against the background as not to distract attention away from the text.

Contents page analysis 1

Contents Page analysis 1

Q Magazine

The contents page for Q magazine I think looks good. I really like how there is a main image as it immediately gives off a gritty impression with the shaggy hair look and the baggy t-shirts. Also it has chosen a famous band ‘The Courteeners’ for the main image. Choosing an image with a famous band is a clever technique to make the readers be sucked in as the more popular the band is the more exciting the magazine will seem to a wider audience.

The back banner across the top of the page works effectively as it stands out; also the use of the Q at the corner looks really professional and stylish. I want to use this technique on my contents page as I think it works really well.

Also I like how the numbers down the side are a different colour to the black as it stands out so it is easy to find out which page what topic is on.

The way Q has kept the same banner but used it at the bottom in a smaller font works really well and keeps the theme. I would like to use this on my contents page as I think it looks very effective.

Also the slang language like: ‘The Q list.’ The use of this colloquial language makes the magazine aimed at a younger demographic as other generations may not be able to understand this text like language.

Also the use of oasis having there own box on the left hand side is really effective as it shows the audience that they know more information about a popular band which draws the readers in. I would like to use this technique in my own contents page as it shows confidence in there own magazine.

Double page spread analysis 5

Double page spread analysis 5

Mixmag Magazine

Although this is displayed in a different way to my style model Q magazine it still links together by the different images used. For example Q magazine chose a plain background and used different coloured images on top. I think this works effectively because it makes the images stand out more when comparing it to Kerrang. I think Images are extremely important for a double page spread as it shows what type of personality and genre it is for example mixmag have used bright aluminous colours which link with the genre rave yet, Q magazine use more realistic colours and pictures to give off a more gritty personality.

The block writing in the centre of the left hand side page I think doesn’t work well as it has lines through it making the words harder to read where as Q uses clear bold writing giving off the impression it is more realistic.

Double page spread analysis 4

Double Page analysis 4

Kerrang Magazine

This magazine is a complete contrast to Q magazine as all the pictures used are in black and white. I think images in black and white don’t work as well because black and white pictures next to each other with a black background all seems to merge together where as, Q magazine use contrasting images next to each other and they stand out more.

Also the text seems like its broken up which emphasises they have a gritty personality. Where as Q magazine always use bold clear text I think clear text works better as it stands out more and is easier to read. The red text on this double page spread emphasises anger again linking with its gritty attitude.

Double page spread analysis 3

Double page spread analysis 3

NME Magazine

The title “People think I’m an attention seeker, but I’m just honest” The use of the black blocky like effect works really well with the opposing colour white. Also the use of lower and higher case letters makes the page, seem untidy and gives off the impression it is aggressive.

Where as the article below is very tidy in comparison with the title this shows that there are two sides to Lily Allen.

The image of Lily Allen gives off the impression she has an attitude as the way she is standing with her hands on her hips portrays her as being aggressive and dangerous. Also her facial expression in this picture seems calm yet mysterious almost with the slightly opened mouth this adds to the dangerous like impression she gives off.

I think the use of her red checked shirt against the black and white theme suggest again danger and aggression. Also the text in red ‘Lily Allen’ was chosen to grab the readers attention again relating to this ‘in your face’ appeal she has.

Double page spread analysis 2

Double page spread analysis 2

Q Magazine

I really like the way Q magazine have chosen one large image to be the background of both pages also I think it makes the text stand out more having its own page also the centre of the image is on the left hand side of the page.

The ‘BORNTORUN’ title is very effective as it is in bold and stands out well. Also the colours of the text fit with the background also keeping with the same colour scheme throughout Q magazine.

I like the grey block looking background for the text to go on as it doesn’t look too harsh against the picture in the background and also works well with the colour black red and white for the text.

I will use this layout with a main image on the background and text on one half of the page. The reason for this is because I think it looks more effective in comparison with the double page spread above.

Double Page Spread Analysis

Double page spread analysis 1

Q Magazine

This double age spread uses lines to separate the text I think this works really well as it makes the text easier to read and more noticeable.

The image on the left hand side is a long group shot of a band this picture contrasts with the pictures on the right hand side for example the one of Lily Allen as it is more dark and gritty. Where as the image of Lily Allen is lighter and more picturesque yet the facial expression used makes the magazine have a more gritty personality.

On the left hand side the list all focuses mostly on popular famous bands such as: Kasabian, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys and N-Dubz. Where as on the right hand side of the page it lists quiz’s, new Q information, and last requests. I think dividing the page with the bands and musician’s on one side and all about Q on the other side works really effective as it shows Q has confidence in itself to give itself a page all about Q’s personal opinion. Also this makes Q seem more ‘cool’ to the demographic it targets.

The banner at the top of the pages works well as it stands out and immediately draws the reader’s attention to it. Also the use of the bold text stands out clearly and I would like to use this on my own double page spread.

Initial ideas for magazine

Evaluation on preliminary magazine

Evaluation

When I created my product I did some research into school magazines so I had a good idea of what they include. For example I looked at a magazine called Fusion and looked at the language used for example they used: Rhetorical questions, short sentences and colloquial language. I then looked at the graphology used and Fusion used a big bold image of a young person in the background so I decided to use a distinct image in my background as it works well for a school magazine. Also I used a big bold heading or my title as Fusion did as it makes it stand out more. Also I noticed every school magazine had smaller size font for there sub titles and extra information so I applied this technique in my magazine to make it look more professional.

My school magazine appeals to both genders as the main focus on the front cover is a male student behind art work. Stereotypically girls would appeal to more creative like magazines including art and textiles for example yet because my main image is of a male I think this exaggerates the fact that both female and males are creative.

If my magazine were to be published a smaller institution would distribute my product as my product is aimed for a specific target audience only which is students. Also the magazine would only be sold in high schools as a younger demographic may not understand some of the vocabulary used. A smaller institution would distribute my product because they have less money to spend in comparison with the larger institutions so they would be more interested in my product than bigger institutions.

My magazine is specifically aimed for students within the school not parents or teachers as I have included certain activities that only students can attend for example: On my contents page ‘Babe of the bay’ is only aimed for students.

Because I aimed my product for students I ensured I only included specific linguistics to interest them to read on for example: rhetorical questions to make the reader think, short sentences so it’s snappy and they don’t have to read as much etc. Also I included storied on a play in school called ‘Guys and Dolls’ as plays in the school are very popular with all the students.

Because my product was aimed at students I had to create a very strong image as other student magazines had done this. So I chose to use flash photography instead of normal lighting on my image as it made the image stand out more and look more creative like my magazine. Also the flash made my image more polished looking and students usually go for a more interesting good photo. Also photoshop was a great help to construct my magazine as I had many layers to create different fonts and pictures. The layers enabled me to work with one part of my magazine at a time and also if I needed to delete a word I could delete the word without deleting the whole product which saved a lot of time. Also I tilted a lot of my photos and put a border around them using photoshop. Overall I think photoshop helped me greatly as it made my magazine look more professional and polished.

Week one diary entry, 05 Feb

I had to produce a magazine front cover and contents page for my preliminary task. FirstlyI looked at two different magazines and compared them so I had a better idea of what type of graphology and language they used. After getting inspiration from a magazine called fusion, I then made two sketches of what I wanted for the front cover and contents page to look like. When I drew my sketches I made sure I knew where I wanted my pictures to be placed and what text I wanted to include, so that I had a clear idea of what I wanted my magazine to look like. When it came to producing my magazine front cover and contents page I had to take various pictures that were original to create a more interesting layout. I created my documents in photoshop and experimented with different tools for example I put borders around pictures and changed the colour of different texts to make my product stand out more.

Front cover and Contents page.

Below is my final designs for my Front cover and Contents page.

Plan for front cover and contents page

Below are my sketches of my Front cover and Contents.

Preliminary task Magazine comparison

I looked at two different magazines and compared them by looking at the following: Layout, Font, Structure and language. When I looked at these two magazines I found that the style of language used was different as the magazine called fusion used colloquial and slang language as it aimed at a younger audience where as the magazine called George Stephenson


Fusion

Firstly I looked at a magazine called Fusion. The language used in this magazine is very informal using words such as: hottest, gossip and gigs etc. This type of magazine is targeting a younger demographic as the colours and layout are bright and the images used are also bright and colourful which again appeals greater to a younger demographic. The front page image is abstract and bold to stand out. The image is of a man in black and white with an open mouth. This is a gritty picture again appealing to teenagers. The language used on the front cover is very snappy and to the point for example: Snack attack, Festival funk 2007. Also the language on the front cover was all in lower case letters which again shows that it is aimed at a younger audience as it is informal. The bold background contrasts against the black and white picture of the male on the front cover which attracts the reader’s attention to the centre of the page.

George Stephenson

Secondly I looked at the George Stephenson magazine and compared it with the Fusion magazine. For example the front cover for this magazine was a total contrast in comparison with the Fusion magazine as with the Fusion magazine there was one main picture where as the George Stephenson Magazine had lots of pictures around the centre of the magazine. Also the colours used in the George Stephenson magazine were greens, reds etc where as the Fusion magazine used bold colours like red, black and white. The way the pictures are displayed on the front cover for this magazine in a circular manner suggests that it is informal. Also the use of pencils and a rubber suggest it is a creative fun type of magazine. The contents page in this magazine was very bright and bold which immediately draws the readers in. The bold white writing on each box was very effective as it linked each box together and the white stood out against the colour scheme used throughout.

When I compared these two magazines I noticed that usually magazines use mainly boxes and triangles to put information in. Also I noticed that mostly every magazine I have looked at had a colour scheme. I think the colour scheme is very important when it comes to your target group as the colours attract the reader instantly.