1. Masthead The masthead is in black font which has connotations of
power and mystery also has connotations of authority, suggesting
that the contents of the magazine are dark types of music. The
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jagged edges on the letters of the masthead suggest a sense that
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AS Media Studies
the magazine’s contents will include grunge type music. The
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smashed and cracked looking masthead has a sense of
onomatopoeia like a smashed symbol and so therefore connotating
the style of music the magazine contains therefore attracting the
target audience who the music genre is aimed towards. And with
the contrasting colours of the black masthead on the white
background the masthead stands out and so therefore attracts the
audience. The black colour is associated with males who are the
target audience of the magazine.
HOLLY TAYLOR
Typefaces
The maintypefaces are all sans serif and therefore
have straight, blue edges; this is to connotate the
genre of the magazine and so attracts the target
audience to purchase the magazine. The main
headlines are in a larger font such as the main cover
line; this is to draw the attention towards the main
article. The typeface of the masthead differs from the
rest of the typefaces; this is because the masthead
draws your attention towards it and so is in a more
grunge typeface.
Main image
The main image features popular band that are associated and are established
musicians of this particular genre. The positions of each one of the band
members are spread across the magazine cover and so this suggests to the
audience that they are the main focal point of the magazine. The band
members are all wearing regular clothing suggesting that they are all regular
people portraying a realistic feel that they are also relatable. The rule of thirds
appear to have identified the man in the centre as the lead singer defining him
from the rest of the band and so our attention is mainly drawn towards him.
The direct address from the three band members makes them identifiable as if
we have a personal connection towards them and thus attracting the audience
to the magazine. The main image is situated over the masthead this is
because the magazine is a well-established and is easily identifiable.
Photography Lighting
The main image has high key lighting this is to make the
main band stand out against the harsher masthead and also
draws the audience’s attention towards their faces this also
suggests that the band is quite normal and average guys
therefore making them more relatable to the target
audience. The drummer who is featured on the leftside third
is covered in tattoos and is wearing his cap backwards this
relates him with the rock genre and therefore identifiable to
the target audience. The lead singer who is situated in the
centre is wearing a dog tag necklace, this relates to the
connotations of punk rock with violent connotations.
Model credit:
The model credit is situated across the middle of the magazine and
the band members, this suggests that they are a well established
band and can sell magazines based on just their name. The text is
large and appears to have bullet holes in some of the letters
connotating the hard grunge genre of the magazine. The font is in a
bold red colour connotating passion and so therefore we can
identify that the band are passionate about their music.
Coverlines There is a unique selling point to this magazine as there is a
cover line saying ‘Win! A three smartphone and free credit!” this attracts
the audience to buy the magazine as the audience would feel as though
they are getting value for their money. People could buy this magazine just
for the possibility of winning an item; this is also seen along the bottom of
the magazine with the ‘poster special’ attracting the audience to buy the
magazine for the free item. Also another cover line includes ‘The pretty
reckless’ this is another band who the target audience would be familiar
with and so therefore attracts the target audience who are interested in
this particular genre. ‘Faces the K! QUIZ” is a housestyle and so therefore
familiar readers who are the target audience of the magazine will relate to
the regular features and also this makes the audience interact with the
magazine as they can also partake in the quiz.
Main cover line: The main cover line is situated below the model
credit and is a direct quote from the interview, this attracts the target
audience to want to purchase the magazine and therefore read more
inside to read the full context of the quote. The consistent colour
scheme of the magazine also helps to establish the genre of the
magazine and also the use of the word ‘masterpiece’ is a buzz word
and so therefore makes the article more appealing towards the
audience who would want to read about what in particular is a
‘masterpiece’.
Colour:
Design Principles Used?
The magazines main colour scheme is red, white and
black with blue occasionally. This is because the
colours red and black and blue are usually
associated with males who are the target audience
of the magazine. The white colour is quite neutral
and so therefore generates a wider target audience,
possibly appealing to females too.
The design principles are used as in the primary optical area features a cover line and
also the band’s main image then in the strong fallow area features the band again as
they are spread across the page along with a banner across the top identifying the
contents to the audience. In the weak fallow area features lesser important coverlines
which include posters this is because these articles aren’t important towards the
audience. The lead member of the band is features in the middle as he is the focal
point of the magazine identifying him as the main interest of the magazine.