Magazine Analysis

Why did I decide to annotate these magazines?• I annotated these magazines because these are

my main inspirations and these are the type of magazines I want to produce for my coursework, because they are targeted towards my target audience, which is mainly young to middle aged adults who love music.

1. NME – Front Cover

Straplines – This is used to show previews of what else will be in the magazine, in this case, there will be information about the Arctic Monkey’s third album, following some colour not used in the cover scheme, which is yellow.

Additional Images – This is used to show that the magazine has content relating to concerts and gigs, giving the representation of the reader through research that they have an interest in live music.

Cover Price for the magazine.

Main Image – This is a high angle medium of Lily Allen, the headline topic that is being discussed, presented in the colour scheme, which is black, white and red. The angle of the shot is used to show her vulnerability, which she will be talking about. Using Lily Allen is showing that she partly represents the Alternative/Rock part of the Music industry that the magazine usually discusses in their article. Having this type of artist on their front cover will attract the typical readers of this magazine.

Graphics – With the bubbles having different colours on it and also in the fonts, it makes the additional information look less boring and actually makes you want to read it as it draws you in.

Cover Lines – This is where all the content and what the magazine will feature is displayed on the front cover. The text does not blend into the background, and is very outstanding, giving an impression that it is something that you should not miss. The varying font sizes and positions makes it fun and playful, stirring more interest. However, it is placed at the side of the main image so it is not blocking or distracting the main feature.

Colour Scheme – The main colours used in this magazine are red, black and white. This is because the target audience are mainly male, and are enthusiastic music lovers, particularly alternative, so this matches the criteria. The use of yellow is to represent how there is lots of other stuff in the magazine also.

Pull Out Quote – This gives the reader a quick insight into Lily Allen’s interview, giving hints on what she will be talking about that will engage the reader more.

Masthead – The name of the magazine is placed on the top left of the magazine, displayed very boldly with the drop shadow, to stand out and to be clearly presented to the reader.

NME – Contents Page

Band index on the side of the magazine to give the reader some insight as to what artists and bands are usually discussed in this type of magazine, helping new readers understand NME more. A different font colour is used to let the reader identify that this is separate to the actual magazine and is used clearly for additional information.

The same NME logo on the front cover is incorporated on the title of the contents, to remind the reader what magazine they are reading. This logo also adds a bit more colour to the main contents heading.

The pages of the magazine are split into categories; to help the reader decide which category they would prefer to look at, instead of skimming around, trying to find an article which you like.

The main font used is black, because it makes text easier to see on a white background, avoiding difficulty with the reader looking at the page.

The use of the graphics, which are the arrows, give the representation that it is pointing the reader in the right direction.

The sidebar is used for advertisement. Unlike most of the contents, it has a black background, and does use a lot of font in yellow, trying to present that it is completely separate to the magazine and it just for promotion only.

Involving the colour scheme, it is similar to the front cover, and it is used, especially in the main headline, to show the difference between the headline and the page number. This is to avoid confusion, and to make it look like the page number is not part of the headline.

Main image used is not from a photo shoot, showing that they have interest in things that happen around places and locations, and also backstage.

NME – Double Page Spread

Dropcap is used to add visual interest and also show the reader where to start reading the article.

The main title is using fonts that appear to look like they have been taken from lots of different newspapers and magazines, to represent Lily’s frustration about being surrounded by the press. Gutter

The kicker here is used to lead the reader into the story, engaging them to read it.

The main image, Lily, is dressed as the stereotypical indie star which readers of NME are interested in, in a medium shot, being used as the background for the article. The photo on the page is from the same photo-shoot from the front cover, so readers can familiarise themselves with the article and know they are reading the right story.

Body text is small enough to make room for the main image which is the main attraction.

Columns used to make it look easier to read and process the article.

2. Q magazine – Front CoverMasthead – Simple title but it is very bold and a stand out, letting the reader know exactly what magazine it is.

Pull out quote – Giving readers a quick taste of the interview.

Main cover line is placed at the top of the magazine to make room for the main image. It is also in a bigger font to show that it is the first one the reader recognises when looking at the magazine, and so they understand why Florence Welch is on the cover.

The fonts used are the same as in the logo, giving a sense that everything in the article is associated with Q magazine.

Graphics used to give the cover more excitement. It is also very unique as one colour, blue, is not in the usual Q logo colour scheme, which avoids repetition and making it look boring.

The use of Florence Welch as the model really represents the age of the reader, as the band ‘Florence and the Machine’ appeals mostly to people who are mainly adults.

Close up image for the magazine, being Florence Welch, used to emphasise that it is her on the front cover. Also, it almost looks like she is staring at the reader, which can also tempt them to purchase Q.

Cover lines are placed at the side of the magazine cover therefore not blocking the main focus and drive for the readers to buy the magazine, which is the music.

Selling line – This helps encourage the reader to buy the magazine, and is also very simple and easy to remember.

Barcode

Cover Price

Q – Contents Page

Information placed underneath the subheadings to give the reader more of an understanding as to what it is meaning.

The images on the contents page are all from photo shoots and not spontaneously from live events.

Page numbers positioned next to images that are placed next to the article make it a lot easier to guide the reader to the most popular sections of the magazine.

All the images used in the contents are long shots, maybe giving the idea that this is the whole story.

Red lines used to split up the articles and make it visually clear that this is the case, using red which is the main colour in the colour scheme.

Q logo is repeated but this time on the contents heading, probably to get the brand known more to the reader.

Q – Double Page Spread

A medium shot of Lana Del Rey taking the whole page therefore it does not run onto the next page making it too confusing and difficult to read.

Large ‘S’ is placed to make the page not just be filled with columns, but additionally to make a statement; and make it look visually interesting. It is also placed behind the text to avoid the colours of the column blending in with the large capital letter. The large letter used could also create a mystery meaning that could entice the reader to look at the article.

There is a model credit on the top right hand corner to let readers know who is being interviewed if they do not know who Lana Del Rey is already.

The drop cap is used for the same reason as the large ‘S’; to add visual interest.

Ariel font is used so it does not look too complex for the older audience.

Gutter placed to make the text not feel as heavy but instead more spacious and more comfortable to the eye.

Body Text