COVERS

The title of this magazine is behind the picture of Eminem which shifts the focus to him, however the title is clear and it is obvious as to what it says as a clear and large looking font has been selected to achieve this effect. Most of the target audience of this magazine will recognize it by the design and thus, it is not hugely important that the title is fully visible

On the front of the magazine, there are various items that are featured inside, the most important of these (the main features) are highlighted by either a larger font size and a bright color, in this case yellow is used. This could be that the designers wanted these aspects to stand out amongst the rest, this works as the yellow is the first thing people will see and will naturally be drawn to it

The main aspect to this magazine cover is the main photo in the center of Eminem, the photo is used to draw people to the magazine as they may be intrigued, furthermore a black background has been selected for the cover which could also be used to further create curiosity as the photos doesn't give much away this will naturally encourage people to buy the magazine.

The main article in the magazine is clearly highlighted as it makes use of the biggest font on the magazine (other than the tile).

This magazine cover features a variety of different colours, some of which are bright. This works well as it provides an accent to the black background and provides a good contrast, this enables it to be used to attract attention.

There is quite a lot of text explaining what is included in the magazine, this is used as a kind of sales pitch, due to the fact that it will for the most part be sold in a store alongside other magazines, so it is important that the designers relay the contents in a way that attracts potential readers. Whilst doing his though, designers must be cautious not to reveal to much and not include anything conclusive about the article.

In the photo Eminem is looking at the camera lens, which results in the impression that he is looking directly at the potential buyer, this can add depth to the magazine as they may feel as they have a deeper connection with Eminem.

In the image, it also worth noting that in the photo Eminem has his hand on his chest/heart area, which could be in a bid to further create a sense of mystery as it appears that Eminem could have something ‘difficult’ to say. This makes people more likely to buy the magazine.

The title for the magazine, in this case ‘Q’ is in a red box, this allows the white ‘Q’ to stand out amongst the white background, in essence it creates a layer of division between the layers. The title is also positioned behind the picture of Tinie Tempah, this makes the picture the main feature of the cover. This also shows that they are confident that their brand is recognized in the market because their slogan is also covered.In the red title box a website is also included “Qthemusic.com” this encourages readers or potential readers to look at the website, which could lead to future purchases of the magazines as they may see an article online that they want to read in print and thus, they will buy the magazine.

The gold band around the edges suggests that this edition is special (it is the 25th anniversary edition). This may encourage habitual buyers who weren't going to buy this issue to buy it due to its specialty which will increase sales

The key elements of the content information are highlighted from the rest by being in these brightly coloured boxes, which will draw the potential readers in, this should end up in a sale providing they want to read the content.

The colours used on the cover for this magazine all compliment and accent each other well, the use of these colours is usually to accent or hide an item, for example the red “Plus!” at the bottom is used to accent that point but the white on the barcode makes it look merged wit the picture.

The font used for some of the text, looks like hand written script, this gives a more personal feel to the magazine and in the case of the “Tinie Tempah” script it could have been used to give a feeling that ‘Tinie’ wrote it and therefore further accentuating the ‘personal’ feel.

The picture of ‘Tinie’ is the primary feature of the cover, we see this in the fact that it is placed over the top of the layers beneath it, these include the title and a content box, as for the picture itself, it isn't very revealing , the sunglasses a part of ‘Tinie’s’ signature look but they could also be used as a visual barrier, so that people will buy the magazine rather than just looking at the cover. The pink shirt makes his body stand out from the background, adding depth to the cover as it gives it a multi layer feel.

The content selected for use on the cover in this magazine is carefully selected to be the most attractive features to readers, for example the star list on the right side, this will attract people to read more about them, there is also a pointer saying that this cover is part of a collection, to encourage more purchases

The title for this magazine ‘CLASH’, in contrast to the other two magazines I have looked at is on top of the picture, this could be to make their magazine brand more recognizable in the market, however looking at how the picture is on the cover, it would cover up too much of the name, the font used for the title is clear and is one of the first things readers will be drawn too when looking on the shelves.

The first line of text on the cover above the title says ‘FREE MUSIC’, this will likely attract buyers, to accent this it is typed in capital letters and is black, which contrasts the yellow background, next to it there is some more text, but readers wont be as attracted to it as it blends in more to the yellow.

Trougout the cover are pieces of text highlighting the features inside the magazine, the most important and attractive ones are in red, which cantrasts largely with yellow and so are instantly visible, some are displayed in black however, which has the same effect as the red, albeit to a lesser degree

Placed on top of the body of the male in the picture is the name of the main feature, this is done in a recognizable font and links the picture to the background as it is finished in yellow as well.

The colours used for text and background for the cover all accent or contrast each other and follow the same theme type and all look in place. Naturally the more important items use the more striking and contrasting colours and the items with a lesser degree of importance use a more subdued white with a yellow tint.

All of the fonts used on the cover of this edition of ‘CLASH’ fit in with each other and are all easy to read from a distance, this helps when potential buyers aren't up close to the cover, which may well help draw them in more easily and thus increase sales.

The picture in the center, has a shadow effect, which could be used to bring forward/emphasize the picture and give the cover a more 3D effect. Bringing the picture forward also created the effect that the person is looking at you more, this is also evident in the eyes, the facial expression is that of a subdued and quite person, this is what the feature is tiring to emphasize, as it says bellow the the ‘James Blake’ script. The staring effect of the eyes may entice readers to want to find out more as they make the person seem ‘possessed’. This may create a more personal connection between the person and the reader.

The ‘plus’ symbol on the left side of the cover, is in a large font and in a contrasting colour, it may have been used to emphasize the value and quantity of the content inside the magazine, buyers typically like this as it represents value.j

CONTENTS

The colours used on this contents page match those of the ‘b’,’o’,’a’ and d from the logo, this gives the magazine a more consistent theme, it also echoes the brand and reminds readers of the brand of magazine they are reading.

The side column of the magazine contents page is written in a small font and is separated into sections, this is suggestive of the fact that there is a lot of information in the magazine, to a potential reader flicking through in a shop this would be beneficial as it suggests that the magazine represents value, from a design perspective it also makes an otherwise cluttered list tidy and neat.

The logo of the brand, in this case ‘Billboard’ is also present, this makes the design of the magazine consistent throughout both the cover and the contents page, this is a good thing to do as it creates a stronger brand identity, thus making the magazine more recognised in the market place.

The most crucial elements of the content are highlighted in a blue coloured font, this makes them more visible as it is a brighter colour and the reader will be attracted to that, there are also some green fonts, these could have been used to represent other titles and information that has a lesser degree of importance.

At the bottom of the contents page, there is some content from other locations, this is used to promote Billboard’s website, which they can make money from via ad revenue. This section also promotes upcoming events that are suitable to the readers of the magazine.

The letters of the title (‘contents’) are done in a font that has a ‘modern’ and ‘edgy’ feel to it, this encourages you to look at it and this helps to clearly point out what the page is for, it also matches the font of the ‘No1’ script, this shows the unity of the page but they are in different colours, which symbolises that they show different information, this is done in order to not confuse readers.

In the centre of the page is the ‘Features’ section, this is placed where the eye will naturally fall on this page, it is done this way as it is the most important piece of information on this page, due to the fact that it is directly in the customers eye line it is the thing that naturally they will see first. This will then lead them to look at the picture of the main person in this issue, this is large and right next to the ‘features’

At the top of the page, bellow ‘contents’ there is a row of images, these show people that are featured in the magazine, and are used to show diversity as there are three different types of artists/figures, for the reader this is good as they may feel more compelled to buy the magazine because of this, as like before, it represents value to the reader.

The first thing readers are likely to notice is that the colour scheme, is similar to that of the cover, this represents a continuous theme throughout the magazine, which is good as it strengthens the brand image and links it to those colours, this means that when people see a red magazine they will think ‘Q’.

Them ain section of the magazine features blocks of pictures, these are more or less directly in the path of the eye of a reader, this means that they will be one of the first if not the vey first thing the reader sees, the designers have seen the importance of this and have placed the biggest and most attractive features in the magazine here, this may give a reader a reason to buy the magazine.

The picture for the page ‘38’ feature is slightly out of its box, this gives the page more depth and makes it stand out more, this is likely to draw customers to that image as it appears to ‘stick out’ amongst the rest, the picture for ‘32’ does the same, further emphasising the visual ‘depth’.

The picture in the bottom left corner appear to be placed without care, this may help to give the reader a more ‘involving’ relationship with what they are reading as it makes it feel as though someone has made it rather than it being printed, it also further adds visual depth and gives the whole page a ‘multi-layer’ feel.

At the bottom of the page there is the issue release date, in this case “May 2011”, the page number, which matches the rest of the feature numbers on the page, this gives the page a united feel and links the content together. There is also a ‘Q’ logo present which further reinforces the brand and its image.

At the top right of the page there is the issue number, written in the same font as the title, this makes clear what the customer is buying/reading, also in the corner is a preview of the double page spread, this gives a potential customer/reader an insight into the content of the magazine, the image of the double page spread is placed at an angle, this makes it seem as before, ‘multi-layered’.

In the middle section of the right side of the page there is a list of ‘regular’ features, these aren't explained, suggesting that most readers all ready know what to expect from these, they also feature a different number style, which could have been done to separate the content, with the plainer numbers representing ‘regular’ content, however the list is filled with red, this could be to attract attention and to maintain the design language of the magazine.

At the bottom centre of the page there is a section named ‘Q Review’, this features red text which draws attention to it suggesting that it is important and needs to be seen, it could have also been done to try and separate the content up so that it is easier for readers or potential buyers to digest, it also fits in with the overall feel of the ‘Q’ design language.

The first things that readers will see on this page is the picture off the main feature person, this is slightly out of its box, which as with the other magazines gives the page a visual depth that is likely to draw readers in to looking at the page in more detail, which may encourage them to read/buy the whole magazine.

As with some of the other magazines there is a ‘regulars’ box on the side, in this case the left. This is usually an attempt to divide up the content, which in turn will make it easier for readers to understand what the page is trying to tell them, above that box is another, this time named ‘Features’, these are the ones that need either less promotion or aren't as important as the ones that have been moved to the centre.

Throughout this page various colours are used, these are all harmonious and either match or contrast each other. The pink for example is carried through the whole page, this unifies the information that is about the same type of thing, other topics use other colours such as white or black. These stand out less though.

Towards the bottom of the page, before the footer there is a black bar with some content details on it, this is also present on the cover of the magazine, this carries through the design language associated with this magazine, which in turn reinforce the brand recognition from customers/readers.

At the bottom of the page, a section dedicated to ‘Clash Fashion’, this is separated from the rest of the contents as it is not as important as the rest as it is solely a subsection. The box however features a black bar similar to the one just above and on the cover page, which could be an attempt to make it feel familiar

At the top right of the page, there is a title that says ‘Contents’, telling readers what they are looking at. It is done in a very similar font to the rest of the contents page, and is coloured in pink, this gives it an eye-catching and modern feel without compromising on readability, as pink on white can be read with relative ease. Just below it is the head that is sticking out from the picture bellow, this draws attention to the main feature.

In the centre of the magazine, we see the ain feature, this is in a clear large font, and is placed here as it is the place which the eye naturally falls, this means that it will be the first thing the reader sees when they look at the page, this is why it is important to put the feature that is the ‘biggest’/’most interesting’ in that spot, just above that there is an image which the reader is drawn to after seeing the feature in the centre . The way the image has been taken and edited, encourages readers to find out more.

Bellow the main feature are two brightly coloured boxes that also grasp the readers attention while looking at the centre of the page, this is good content distribution as looking at one thing always leads you to look at something else, in this case the boxes and images

DOUBLE PAGE SPREADS

The first thing people will notice about this double page spread is the colour scheme featured, which suggest femininity, it also attracts attention and is likely to draw readers in to the bright colours, the black text also provides a nice contrast to the pink backgrounds and makes it easy to read as well, the black and white of the clothes Nicki is wearing make her stand out from the background, whilst her pink lipstick links the whole page together.

The title for this page is separated into two main parts: “The Gospel According To” and “Nicki Minaj”, the first part of the title is written in a classic font which fits with the word ‘Gospel’ well, it also contrasts the background which makes the reader see it and want to read it more. It is also calm and understated. The second half by contrast utilises a large bold and wide font and is displayed in the colour pink, this could have been chosen to show off her personality as someone who is over the top. It is extremely easy to read and striking. If someone was flicking through the pages they would see this instantly.

The layout of this page is very much focused around Nicki, part of the picture of her is placed where they eye naturally falls, this is done this way as if the reader sees her hand they will look at the whole of her, this in turn means that the whole photo doesn’t have to be in that specific area, Her arm overlaps the text slightly, which shows that the publishers are confident that she is sufficiently recognised to do that, in turn representing fame, the colours on her necklace include the blue and yellow from the cover logo which could have been used to remind people of the brand.

For the main text, there is many effects, to keep the reader interested. One of these effects is that the brief ‘blurb’ under the title is written in an italic font, this ensures readers know that it is separate from the body of text. Another effect is a large W at the start of the article, which is not only used to indicate where to start reading but also to link it to the title. Then there is the numbered sections, this helps if a reader wants to look at specific sections, but it also helps to digest the text as a whole as it is done in short bursts, there is also a controversial statement in pink to attract attention

The theme for this double page spread is a kink of dull effect, this can be seen by the black and white image (though that also suggests sexuality), and the basic layout of the second page, with large blocks of text and no smaller images, this could entices people to read the article instead of just glancing at the pictures and guessing what it is going to say.

The layout of this double page spread in a Billboard magazine is done in a way that one of the two pages is a picture of Lady Gaga, this gives potential readers and readers an insight into what the article is likely to include. The second page, in contrast is solely used for text, to me this doesn’t look that good as it makes the text look long and highlights the fact that it could get boring, though for some who may want to read a lot it may be a good thing for the article to be laid out in this way. The only other aspects to the second page is a large red ‘L’ and the page number and issue details.

The colours used on this page, are used for tree things, to link the pages to the central theme of Q magazine, to provide an interesting contrast to the black and white and to sexualise the nature of this article, this is especially evident in the large red ‘L’ in the centre of the second page, not only does this link to the corporate colour of Q magazine but it also suggests that the article has a sexualised nature, whilst contrasting the heavy use of black and white, the ‘Q’ logo can also be seen at the bottom of the page, making reference to the brand of the magazine and reinforcing the brand image.

The formatting of this article includes various different effects that have been used to both emphasise points and to keep the readers interested, the first of these effects are the fact that the word ‘Lady’ in Lady Gaga is formatted in an italic and gentle font, which could be suggestive of femininity and gentleness associated with ladies. The word ‘Gaga’ however, is formatted in a bolder more ‘brash’ font which could represent Lady Gaga’s more controversial and stronger personality, also of interest is how the starts of different sections have large letters, with the first being the large ‘L’.

This Clash magazine double page spread has a minimalist look to it, utilising the new trend of flat icons, text and image panes. The font used for the title uses a bold modern yet retro looking font in bold and it is finished in blue/purple, which matches the image on the left and provides a nice contrast for the white background. The Clash Logo stands out at the bottom of the page in red so that people see it.

The layout of this double page spread from Clash Magazine is done in a way which one of the two pages is used solely for the main image and the page number, issue number and brand logo. This gives potential readers and readers a chance to see what is likely to be included in the article, in this particulate case the image doesn't give much away and is in line with the cover, in that the person looks like he is ‘possessed’, this is likely to spark curiosity in readers minds and make them want to read more about him and why he may look like that in the pictures.

The font choices for this double page spread are generally good as they are all easy to read and stand out well from the background, thanks to good colour choices. The font also carries on the modern and minimalist look set by the title, which in turn suggest that the topic of the article is about a new age artist. The people responsible for the various different parts of the article are highlighted underneath the blurb in bold text separated by a line.

The formatting of this article includes various different effects that have been used to both emphasise points and to keep the readers interested, the first of these effects is that the ‘blurb’ is separated from the rest of the text with two simplistic and elegant looking lines, below it are the creators of various parts of the article, this is done so that readers can differentiate what they need to read from the other information. Another effect used is the large letter at the start of the article which tells readers where to start. There is also an arrow at the bottom