Analysis Of Contents Pages

Analysis of contents page 1

Large mast head with issue number in the ‘M’. Main central image of the feature. This brings in Maslow’s hierarchy theory where all humans need dream and aspirations and the image is of someone who people aspire to be and idolise. There is a range of other feature stories around the central image to give other incentives. There is also an extra incentive with the cd that has backing tracks and lessons on it. It also shows aspects of the gratification theory where as the target market is drummers they have something to relate in the magazines. It gives feature stories around the main image about the latest products on the market once again giving the reading something to relate to. Another extra incentive is the phrase ‘the UK’s best selling drum magazine which give the reader a reason to trust the magazine and therefore an incentive to buy the magazine. It also uses Maslow’s theory through using the target markets aspirations to their advantage by having the extra incentive of the CD to learn their idol’s songs that they have drum to.The image are airbrushed to make the artist look more like idols and hero of the readers once again reinforcing Maslow’s theory that people have to have aspirations. The main central image has been airbrushed, the hair for a more golden colour, his face has been airbrushed to lessen his wrinkles. The male gaze is not really used here but the images are made to look power and made the people featured look heroic, using Maslow’s theory making them look heroic as they look to the reader as their idol.

Mast Head

Extra Incentive Main Central Image

Feature stories

Bacode

Analysis of Contents page 2

The NME approaches its front covers by using the usual conventions but with slight tweaks in the process. Firstly the mast head has been put back, from first sight , to convey the fact that the NME is bursting with information, so much that it cannot fit it’s picture in. The main feature title is in the central position on the page, with information about it around the main tile with a quote underneath; it gives the reader a insight into the article, attracting the reader to read it. Under that there is a plus section, which tells the reader what else there is in this issue of the NME. This can be improve with a sub heading about the article. This is show about the main feature story. Once again giving an insight into the articles. On the left side there is a stamp, featuring another article, as the stamp looks out of place it attracts a lot of attention. The colour scheme here is red, white and black, effective as red and white is a very recognizable as it is the colours of the England flag relating to Britpop and indie, meaning it is something that can be pick out of overcrowded shelves.However, the NME front cover does not challenge the conventions of front covers, it only modifies the heading and sub-heading convention. On the bottom left it says plus and just say the heading of the band, they do this to show that it is full of information from so many different bands.

Barcode

Main Central Image

Feature stories

StampMast Head

Analysis of Contents page 3

Kerrang magazine is a Rock magazine aimed at 14- 24 years olds. Firstly the main picture has been airbrushed. The background has been brightened and going toward the man the background get lighter the outline of the man is a shining colour. This give the effect that the man is like a god, this relates to Maslow’s hierarchy of need where al humans need aspirations. So the shining light around the man make him like a aspiring character- some kind of role model. The mast head is in its conventional place ,so it can be seen on the shelves in the supermarket or news agent. The colour scheme here is black, yellow and white with hints of green to relate to the cover story which about the band green day. Under the mast head on the right there is a stamp, which gives the effect that it is not suppose to be there, therefore standing out from the rest of the information on the magazine. Across the banner there is an extra incentive- another reason for the reader, there is also another extra incentive above the barcode is a chance to win something, giving the reader another reason to buy the magazine. On the information text there are buzz words which would attract attention as it would interest the target market of the Kerrang magazine. However the kerrang magazine has challenged the convention of making the magazine look like it is overflowing with information. This make the reader’s attention turn to the main picture, conveying the mise en scene that the main feature is an exclusive. The rest of the features of the magazine is put in the bottom part of the magazine, conveying the thought that even without conveying the normal conventions of a traditional magazine.

Barcode

Feature stories using buzz words

Main Central Image

Mast headExtra Incentive

Evaluation

Looking at these existing double page spread they all have something in common, they all have their mast head at the top of the page, a main central image and a title and sub-heading for the main central image. They have all airbrushed their image to make their main features’ look hypereal, that they are god like and made to look they can be Idolised.

They all use Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, by Trying to fill the whole page up with information filling the section of the hierarchy which is self actualization.

Both Rhythm and Kerrang use a extra incentive to attract their audience , this can be useful as it may boast sales as it gives the customer another reason to buy the media product.

From these I have learnt that front pages should look like they are full of information , to the extent that to the customer that the magazine is going to burst out with information, therefore the customers will think that it is worth while to buy the magazine for the amount of information it is going to have inside.

I have also learnt that they picture used could relate to the reader, if they relate to the reader I think that they would be more inclined to read the magazine as it could to relate to reader themselves.