Magazine Analysis

Aim My genre for my music magazine is going to be Rhythm and Blues (R&B). However I have decided to concentrate on blues which is a genre which you would not normally associate with a target audience of teenager/young adults 16-19 years old. From my research on the next two slides I have chosen a R&B magazine and a blues magazine. My aim is to create a magazine for my target audience by making is young similar to the first magazine analyse (R&B called VIBE) but with the music genre of more Blues from the second magazine analyse, Blues & Soul.

I want to create a magazine with the genre of Blues (magazine on the right). However, making and designing it suitable and appealing for my target audience so its young (magazine on the left). Both these magazines are Blues & Soul (same magazine) but created to suit different audiences

First Magazine Analysis

Denotation: Splash headlines in red and text

in white both in sans serif fonts

Connotations: The splash headlines in red

stand out to the viewer and give the

audience an insight in what the magazine is

about. This will help the audience decide

whether magazine is right for them or not.

The text itself is in white and the red and

white text works we’ll against the black

background and doesn’t take the viewers

eyes away form the main selling point, the

artist or the text itself. This also helps the

audience identify the audience and the

main articles with the magazine

The boost picture or artist is positioned staring straight at the audience with

his head leaning to the right with his eyes sharpened so they are a deep blue.

Connotations: The artist has connotations as being maybe quite relaxed, laid

back, this also makes the reader feel laid back and relaxed before going into

the magazine. In some ways the artist looks quite innocent or passionate

with the deep blue eyes. However with the black background and stubble

we still get a sense of masculinity and power and the red being strength and

confidence, from the splash headlines, “GOING ALL THE WAY”.

The masthead in positioned above the artist.

Connotations: Even though the mast head partially cover the artist head it still suggests that a large

section of the articles content is going to be about the artist, James Morrison. It also suggests that the

magazine is a popular and well-known brand due to the fact that it is on top/in front of the artist.

It is normal for the western world

to read from the top left to the

bottom right this is why the

magazine is structured in a specific

way with all the main text

positioned on the left side of the

article and the artist positioned

more to the right, this way the last

thing the audience will read is the

main selling point which is the artist

‘James Morrison’.

Psychographics: Aspirers,

Achievers and maybe

Tradionalists

Jicnars- the magazine is £3.95

every month so to afford this

maybe the audience is well-paid

or on a descend wage maybe

Jicnars, B and C1

Denotation: The masthead is white on top of

a black background in a sans serif font.

Connotations: This particular magazine sticks

to the theory that Roger Black came up with

which is that only 3 colours should be used,

white, black and splash headlines in red.

Connotations: The black background, which is

simple allows the red and white text to stand

out as well as the sign, being the artist. And

the strandline beneath the masthead also

supplies more information about the

magazine which helps viewer to establish

whether the magazine is right for them.

Gender both male and

female. However

maybe more female

due to the posture of

the artist.

Aged 41-55/56-70

The background is simply white This means that any colour will draw the attention of the reader to it. This colour also works well as it doesn’t take away the readers attention. The layout is almost in the layout of a newspaper which gives the impression that the magazine is to entertain and inform even though it is actual purpose of the magazine is to subtly persuade giving the illusion that its purpose is to entertain.

The text within the article is simply just black. In a sans serif font again linking to this similar layout of a newspaper, this particular section is also set out into four paragraphs not columns which are typical of magazines again linking to this layout of a newspaper genre.

The font with the content is very simple in sans serif font and in black, this may also give the impression of laid back similar to the layout of a news paper genre. The headlines and sub headlines also flow and are in a newspaper style layout and this all flows, this will also gain the audiences’ attention and will lead them to the important information beneath.

The way in which the text is laid out on the bottom is also very effective. The designer has deliberately placed the subscription sheet at the bottom of the page as this is the last thing the reader will see and read as it is normal for the western world to read from the top left. This is done deliberately as this is how the magazine makes money by trying to sell it to their audience this also gives the illusions that the magazine is to entertain as the important information about the content is read first as it placed at the top and the money making part is placed at the bottom so it is the last thing the viewer will see and read.

The masthead is placed in the at the top of

the page in the centre and is spread out

across the entire top of the page, it is also

bold in white and capitalised behind a black

background so it will instantly draw the

readers attention. The colour also links with

the colour scheme of a typical news paper

linking to all the features within the

contents.

The contents is surprisingly quite small, however is placed down the left hand side, so the this is the first thing the viewer will see and read. The contents is also set into 3 sections and again set in the layout of a typical newspaper. From this we can assume that this is for Tradionalists from the psychographics as Tradionalists are people who think the past was better than today (keep things the way they are)v

At the top of the page beneath the masthead is highlighted using a simple black frame around the text, this works well as the viewer instantly is drawn to it because it is highlighted.

The use of a Drop cap also gives the impression of newspaper layout as this is more common in newspapers, this also draws the readers attention as it is enlarged, capitalised and bold.

The artist is positioned sat down, smiling, facing straight at the viewer, although the artist appears in a formal like suit because he is sat down is suggest a more informal approach and this in ways makes the reader feel relaxed and at ease with the magazine. He also wears a red suit this makes him stand out among the greys and black in the article.

With the artists name being in red link to the artist who is also wearing red., with the rest of the text being in black it makes the masthead more dominant and noticeable as the background is simply just white and the text is black and the images are mostly in black and white . This will also help the audience identify who the person or sign is and the articles masthead is the name of the artist

Images are text wrapped in the middle of columns and text, this allows the viewer to almost have a break from all the text and adds colour to the article. It also helps the reader to summarise what has been said in articles and also helps them to find parts of the article they might be more interested in. these images are also anchored as they are supplied with captions also helping and supplying information to the reader.

With certain sections of the text in bold, spaced away from the columns of text in black (pull quotes) it attracts the reader and allows them to summarise what the text is about and find part of the text they are more interested in.

Images of what appears to be an old band is pictured in black and white this links with the content o the previous slide with this old style maybe even newspaper layout and style.

The artist placed at the top left on the double page spread takes up half of the page, this works well as the viewer will instantly get an insight into the magazines content before even reading as this will be the first thing they will read and see.

The columns are in rows of 3 a page. This well in making sure the text isn’t to bunched together. This particular amount of columns will also be the same throughout the magazine

The red line also help the audience establish the start of the article and also links with the colour scheme of red which signifies the most important features in the article.

Second Magazine Analysis

Psychographics: Aspirers, and Achievers –

mainly targeted at a younger audience

especially with the type of music being

rap/R&B and with the language used such

as ‘Aint’ which is slang commonly used

within young people and splash headline

used which advertise rap artists.

Gender - More Female due to the

masculine artist on the front

JICNARS- D and E due to the young

audience aged between 16-19

It is normal for the western world

to read from the top left to the

bottom right this is why the

magazine is structured in a specific

way

The masthead is places above/ in

front of the artist

Connotations: Although the masthead

is in front of the artist it still suggests

that a large section of the articles

content is going to be about the

artist, T.I. It also suggests that the

magazine is a popular and well-known

brand due to the fact that the

masthead is placed in front of the

artist.

Denotation: The masthead is red with a white background in a sans serif font.

Connotations: This particular magazine sticks to the theory that Roger Black came up with which is that only 3 colours should

be used, white background, black masthead and text with red splash headlines.

connotations of red with the positioning of the model/artist suggests energy, strength, power, determination especially as

the artist is facing straight in front almost at the viewer. The sans serif font is quite simple. However, the colour red

suggesting bold and power, stands out this makes sense as this is the first thing the viewer will see. The white background,

which is simple allows the red and black text to stand out as well as the sign, being the artist.

Denotation: Articles are in sans serif fonts in black with

splash headline in red.

Connotations: This particular magazine sticks to the theory

that Roger Black came up with which is that only 3 colours

should be used, white background, black masthead and

text with red splash headlines. The sub headlines are in

black with pull quoted in vibrant red, and the copy (main

text of a story also does this. This particular colour scheme

works well with the sign (the artist) also being in black and

white however, he still stand out. The red also works well

against a simple white background, this works well as the

red and black stand out and the viewer does not get

distracted by the background, the focus is mainly on the

headline and artist (sign).

Denotation: The sign or artist is places centre of the magazine, facing directly in front almost at the audience, with his head slightly tilted. The artist is in a formal suit with black and white, with a black hat, glasses tie and blazer and white shirt. Connotations: The artist is dresses in a formal black tie suit, which suggest class, expense, confidence, formal, sophistication, masculinity. This works well with the rest of the magazine using just black, white and red colour scheme. The artist is also placed behind the masthead which links well with the red pull quotes particularly the word ‘secret’ maybe suggesting that he is secretive or doesn’t like to be express feelings. This maybe why he has deliberately been placed behind not in front of the masthead.

The artist is clearly making eye contact with the audience, this will instantly draw the audience to him and the magazine. Thee artists looks quite stern, serious or even edgy, this maybe reflective of what the audience can earn if they continue to read and buy.

The artist or sign has his hand in his pockets which gives the impression of relaxed or laid back approach but also suggests confidents. This will give the audience a laid-back and relaxed approach with the magazine even though his facial expressions suggests stern and serious.

The background is grey with a grey/blue ‘V’ in the background. This means that any colour will draw the attention of the reader to it. This colour also works well as it doesn’t take the readers eyes of the main feature which is the artist and the contents itself.

The text within the article is simply just black. However, the editor or designer has deliberately blended in the text, but still making it clear. This works well as the attention of the audience is on the main feature or selling point which is the artist

The artist himself is wearing a jacket which clearly stands out, this will draw the readers attention to him. He also has what appears to be females hand across his shoulder holding a heart, this maybe suggestive of the article about him which will be a large section in the magazine. The connotations of the colour red are romance, sexiness, power, strength and confidence which may all be suggestive of his personality.

The font with the content is very simple in sans serif font and in black, this may also give the impression of laid back similar to the artists posture. This may also have been done so the attention of off the reader doesn’t get side tracked of the main feature being the artist. The headlines are also flowing, this will also gain the audiences’ attention and will lead them to the important information beneath.

The way in which the text is laid out on the right hand side is also very effective. This is the last thing the audience will see because it is normal for the western world to read from the top left. However because the title has been placed in the top right the attention will instantly be drawn to this so the important information will be read first and the main selling point and article will be last.

The title in the top right corner also works

well, even though the words are split up.

The title is bold in black and capitalised so it

will instantly draw the readers attention.

The colour also links with the colour scheme

of greys and black but without taking the

attention away from the masthead and

these particular colours also have similar

connotation of the artist as greys and blacks

are traditionally seen as masculine.

The models posture has connotations of innocence but also sexy with the connotations of red being sexy, strong, passionate and bold. The model also has her hands behind her back almost child-like but maybe also a slight confidence.

With the artists name being in blue and the main words or phrases in the masthead being in blue , with the rest of the text being in grey makes these particular word more dominant and noticeable as the blue contrast against the grey text and white background. This will also help the audience identify who the person or sign is and the articles content, this is also reinforced with pull quotes.

The model or artist has direct eye contact with the audience. This will help entice the reader into the article, it also in some ways makes the reader feel relaxed as the artist looks relaxed. This photo also allows the texts to be almost broken, giving the reader a break from large amounts of text.

With certain sections of the text in bold, spaced away from the columns of text in black (pull quotes) it attracts the reader and allows them to summarise what the text is about and find part of the text they are more interested in.

The artist wears a vibrant red dress which stands out against the grey and black colour scheme in some ways clashes. The connotations of the colour red are strength, love, romance, passion, fire and sexy. These could all be reflective of her and what the article is about, as the article is about her. What she is wearing will also attract the reader as it fashionable and many people mainly female will be interested in celebrity fashion so this will attract mainly a female audience.

The banner of images a long the top of the double page spread also works well, this in some ways gives the reader an insight into the artist before they have read the text, this also breaks up the page from just being text.

The columns are in rows of 3 a page. This well in making sure the text isn’t to bunched together. This particular amount of columns will also be the same throughout the magazine