Planning and Research part 1

Whilst carrying out the magazine analysis , on the covers, contents and double page spread. I decided I would concentrate on one particular genre of music. I looked at the more popular genres of the mainstream music industry at the moment. I also looked at the more popular mainstream artists, such as Lady Gaga (featured above), Rhianna, and so on. Whilst carrying out my research on the artists, I then decided that I would focus on the genre of electro-pop, this type of music seemed to but up beat and fast paced, therefore my magazine would need to be bright and vibrant. The type of artists who are involved in this scene of the music industry seem to have an outrageous attitude and style to bring to the world of music, such as Lady Gaga. Furthermore my magazine would have to feature a represention which would stress the effect of a outrageous theme, this could be a wide range of topics, such as dominance to sexuality. Also my models would have to be made to seem, different and be able to stand out of the crowd whilst at the same time reaching the target audience. I also would have to create something which expressed the ideas and values of my target audience.

Double Page Spread Analysis 3

The Main image on the double page spread is a image of the Black Eyed Peas, however because the article is about Will.I.AM the rest of the group seem to fade into the background. Instantly the reader is then able to work out what the article maybe about. In this case it seems to be about the artist leaving the group. It may also suggest this as in the image he seems to be not only more dominate to the others but, he seems to be stood slightly further out, from the group

Furthermore the main title suggests the same thing; 'WILL HE, WON'T HE?', the image has been created to compliment the title and the overall article. Again the main focus is placed on Will.I.AM. If we look at the way in which the page is laid out the main image is on the left hand side of the page, however it seems to spread slightly on the right hand side of the page. The text on the other hand is more on the right hand side of the page, although there seems to be a main focus paragraph, this is the one with the black background, and the white text. This maybe due to the factor of the more important information is placed in the paragraph.

Double Page Spread Analysis 2

The main image of the double page spread is the artist Shakira. The image gives a representation of an independent woman, this is shown as she is a work and seems relaxed within the environment, therefore must be in charge and must feel confident. On the other hand there is a contrasting image of her naked, but covered by herself, therefore this shows how she can versatility change her image from business woman to performer instantly.

The headline 'Danger! Shakira At Work' also adds to image of an independent woman. On the other hand when we look at the text it seems to have a plain essence about it a making it seem normal for a woman, been independent. This would appeal to a female audience, however, Shakira has a sexual appeal for men, the fact she is independent would also add to this kind off appeal for men. The text has been put on a white background to make it stand out much more.

Double Page Spread Analysis 1

The double page spread, has all the basic , conventions of a magazine, it features a main head line which is eye catching whilst informant at the same time. It has been made to look as though each letter has been cut out of a news paper, also the way the font comes across seems to make it have a attitude type affect towards the audience. These factors combined make it eye catching but also give it attitude making it edgy.

The main image is of artist Lilly Allen. We get the image of her having positive attitude, this works well in sync with the text and helps to create a powerful perception of Lilly Allen, whilst at the same time helping to give her a positive image with the help of the article. If we look at the costume of the image, we see she is wear a read t-shirt, this may influence the reader to see her a having attitude in the same way the text and her posture do.

The use of a white background help to make the image stand out, and also have a good effect in making the main text stand out on the page. The layout of the article, is basic but affective, we know this as there is a main image on the right hand side of the page, bu the layout of the text and the main headline are also basically placed for the reader to understand the layout easily.

Contents Analysis 3 (NME Magazine)

The contents page features again the basics of a magazine contents has such as a mast head, again showing the logo of the magazine and the title "THIS WEEK". The colours are the magazines logo red, also there is black to give the magazine and eye-catching impact effect on the reader.

On the left hand side of the page there is a 'Band Index' this allow the reader to see the new and upcoming band in the next few issues. If we look at the colour surrounding the text, we can see that it is a vibrant red, this may suggest the 'freshness' and 'hotness' of the new bands. The colour also matches the logo, which may also signify the 'hotness' of the magazine. However it may also symbolise the power of the magazine.

The sub-titles for each section of the contents are in contrasting colours, black and white this in turn helps them stand out more to the reader. Like the rest of the text on the page. Under each sub-heading we can see that the different features of the magazine have been put in order of the types of things in each category.

The main image is a image of the featured artist in the magazine in this case its Oasis. The image shows two of the band members on their world tour, this makes the image more personal to the reader as they are interested in the tour and it becomes a way for them to see the tour. The title of the image '...Oasis kicked off their world tour' has been made to stand out and grab the readers attention, its in a bold, black font. This is then followed by smaller but still bold font giving the reader a little more information on the article. Above the main title there is silver italic font saying 'The moment that.....' again dragging the reader in, however this font seems a little more suttle as it is silver and smaller the the text below, this maybe because it is leading up to the main title. With the article we can see the magazines ideology, this is show via the genre of music the band fall into and the type of people who listen to this type of music.

Below the main text there is a advertisement for people to subscribe to the magazine, this is in a black box which again stands out loudly, with it being on a white background. This is also accomplished with the aid of yellow text and the image on the magazines.This also shows an example of the magazines intuitions as its advertising itself.

Contents Analysis 2 (Q Magazine)

The contents, again features all of the basic, such as a mast head of the magazine (Q magazine), This much like the splash, allows us to identify the intuition of the magazine. In this case Q magazine.

At the left hand-side of the magazine, there is a index of what the magazine contains. The colour are quite bold e.g, red black and white. The also are colours which quite commonly go together. The red heading stands out and gives the impression (much like the contents of NME) of been new and up to date, i.e been red hot information given straight to the readers. Below the index there is text box giving the reader information on a special feature within the magazine, the colours of black and silver give us the impression of the article been special and important. We also can see a date in the far right side of the magazine on the masthead.

The are two images on the contents page, the first of which is a image of the featured band in the magazine (The Courteeners). The image is placed directly in the centre of the magazine and shows all the band members is an dominant position as the camera is looking up at them. The text box in he lower left corner of the image, gives the reader more information on the band and shows us the page number of the article. Again the main colour if the text is black, which allows it to stand out to the reader. The second image is another artist, however instead of being a article its a small review at the bottom of the page. Here that artist is seen as laid back as he is using the pedestal to support himself, this also makes him seen more relaxed. The text is again black which works well with the grey colour of the text box.

At the far bottom of the left side of the page there is a small text box, showing the different aspects of how the reader can get in touch with the magazine, such as; e-mail, letter and subscription. This again shows the institution of the magazine. Within this section we also get a list of things which are always in the magazine such as crosswords and competitions.

Contents Analysis 1 (NME Magazine)

The contents is used to show the reader the contents of the magazine, things such as, interviews, reviews and articles. The listings in a contents are usually numbered. Or have headings such as the one pictured.

The contents features a mast head, allowing the reader to see what is in the issue if the magazine. The colours chosen are the magazines logo colour and also white which can be seen to stand out on a black background.

The main image is of the main article of the magazine, and has a large article title which stands out so the reader can go directly to it. The photo itself stands out from the rest of the page, one reason is because its one of the only photos on the page.

The subheadings for each topic also stand out as they are black boxes with white wording, on the other hand the layout of the boxes makes them stand out more as they are all in a vertical line down the right hand side of the page. The numbers of the pages are also quite bright meaning the stand out (as they are in a red font), at the bottom of the article there is a red arrow, this gives us the image of fresh new gigs and acts to be featured in the near future. Next to the arrow we also have a subscription alert, this is presented using the effect of bright colours on a dark background, again giving the impact of standing out. On the other hand the use of the magazine images in the section also help to draw attention to this section.

On the far left had of the contents there, is a list of band featured in the magazines, this allows the reader to instantly turn to the page with the band/artists of there choice, this would also feature more information of the band for the reader to look at. The band index stands out quite well, as it in red font. This symbolises the new type of acts that are featured within the magazine, it also shows the type of feel the audience has towards the band, an example of this might be the 'Hotness' of the band.