The document provides an analysis of different elements of a music magazine front cover and interior pages. It discusses the rule of thirds composition technique used on the cover, identifying Dizzee Rascal's eye as a point of visual interest. It also analyzes the masthead, color scheme, target audience, shot type, and other design elements. For the interior pages, it summarizes the layout, use of images and text, and how various elements connect across sections to maintain a consistent brand identity.
2. Rule Of Thirds:
I have added lines on the image to
emphasise rule of thirds. Rule of
thirds is used to show visual points
of interest. This is used in
magazines to attract the reader to
specific points as well as, to ensure
that important information is at the
readers visual point of view. For
example, because a barcode is
unimportant, it will most commonly
be placed in the bottom right hand
corner of a magazine. However,
because the model is an important
aspect of the magazine, at some
point a particular body part will
cross between the lines which
attracts the reader. As shown in
this magazine, Dizzee Rascal’s eye
are joins the lines which makes him
a point of interest for the reader.
Masthead:
The masthead is
the title of the
magazine; which is
always placed at
the top. This will
conventionally
always be bold on
purpose to attract
the audience
straight away. In
this case, the
masthead is a
vibrant red with a
white lining and
black stroke effect
to make the
masthead stand
out. Additionally,
the choice of
colours fits the
colour scheme
which makes the
magazine layout
appear well
structured and
organised. A
positive of this is
that NME is a
branded magazine
meaning, that it’s
target audience
knows exactly
what to expect.
Colour Scheme:
The magazine’s colour scheme is quite masculine which
signifies that the magazine has a male target audience.
However because the magazine genre is music, it may
have a very small female niche market. The main colours
are red, black and white. Both black and red have
connotations of power. This is significant because it
emphasises that Dizzee has the power to spread “joy
around the world..” The colour white is significant because
it has positive connotations of light. Again this relates to
the word “joy” in the main cover line as it means pleasure
and happiness. This has as positive representation
because through the model, the magazine is promoting
positive energy.
Target Audience Profile:
From the magazine front cover, I think that the magazine is
targeted at males of all ethnic groups however, it is
predominantly targeted at White and Black men. This is
because the model is Dizzee Rascal who is a black male
and because the strapline mentions Jay-Z who is an
American rap icon. However, the cover lines mentions rock
bands which are predominantly targeted at white males. I
would say that, age group for the magazine is 23-38. The
target black audience may drink beers such as Heineken.
They may wear snapbacks and tracksuits or a plain back tee
with either black or light blues jeans, and Timberlands to
compliment their look. Conversely, the white target audience
may wear converse and skinny jeans. They would have a
short hair cut with the front section slightly longer. They may
drink a variety of beers and ciders and would go on regular
“weekend raves”.Medium Long Shot:
I think that, the main image is a
MLS because you can see Dizzee’s
body and the image background
however, you can’t see his hands.
The denotations of the main image
is Dizzee (the model) wearing a
vest top, baggy jeans and trainers
which match the colour scheme.
Mode of Address:
The mode of address informal as
the main cover line mentions words
such as “I’m” and “man”. To some
readers, this can be seen as
colloquial language as Dizzee is
from Bow in London.
Although NME doesn’t use direct
address through it’s choice of
words, by Dizzee looking directly at
the camera; the reader is able to
feel like the model is specifically
looking at them.
Mise-En-Scene:
This is shown in this image because Dizzee is representing Working/Middle Class people. Which is shown through his
clothing. You can see this because he is dressed in a very casual, informal attire which most men would wear on a
weekend. As they may have a uniform or wear a suit to work within the week.
3. Masthead & Main Heading
NME has included their masthead onto the
contents page so that the magazine appears to be
well structured and organised. By doing this, the
reader knows exactly what the focus of this page is
because the heading is at the top. This is important
in a magazine because it informs the reader of
what topics will be covered throughout the
magazine. This then gives the target audience the
opportunity to browse what the magazine will
feature. Also, Some magazines may feature a sub-
heading to provide extra information to the reader.
Date/Issue Number:
Underneath the main heading, NME have
included the date that the magazine was
published. The date is always published on a
magazine so that it’s readers are kept up-to-
date with the issue. This enables the readers
to follow the magazine and see which ones
they missed. Although NME has no issue
number, it has the date which signifies that it’s
a monthly magazine. The date then allows the
magazine focus on the genre’s most popular
topics that month. In this case.; it will focus on
what's popular In the music industry.
Rule of Thirds:
Again, I have added lines onto the image to
show the visual points of interest. The
middle block contains the page’s main
image which is significant because it is one
of the page’s main focuses. This is
emphasised because the image takes up
four blocks which signifies its importance in
the magazine. Rule of Thirds creates
meaning because it outlines what the
magazine sees as visually important
aspects.
Main Image:
This is significant because it allows the reader
to understand what the magazine is about. By
the image being bordered it enables it to
stand out so that it captures the readers eye
more easily.
In order to follow the magazine’s codes and
conventions, the image will be linked to the
article which enables the reader to have a
idea as to what the article is saying. In this
case, the main image will tell new readers that
the magazine content is revolved around
music as the denotations of the image consist
of a woman posing outside a red tour bus
which has connotations of a national concert
by a popular artist(s). Therefore, the reader
Layout:
The page’s layout follows codes and
conventions as article title and contents are
structured in columns. This enables a large
amount of content to be placed on one page
– meaning that all the relevant information is
easily accessed, as it is positioned
underneath the appropriate title (ie. News).
Additionally, by adding page numbers next
to the article title; the reader is able to easily
flick through the magazine to the point of
interest.
By the magazine using different fonts for the
brand index or the article content, it shows
that each topic has it’s own focus and
relevance to the magazine. This then enables
the reader to distinguish the different topics
being mentioned in the magazine.
Shot Type:
The main image is a medium shot as it contains
half the model's body and head. Through the
image, the magazine uses a direct mode of
address as the model is looking directly at the
camera to purposely engage the reader. The
image also uses mise-en-scene to emphasise the
genre. By the model wearing black and white, the
audience may believe that she is involved in a rock
group. Additionally, her eye makeup is quite dark
which represents the sinister side to rock music.
Brand Identity:
NME’s identity is revealed through the house
style. This is so that the page appears to be
well structured and organised. The house
style is red, white and black. This is then
incorporarted into each page so that the
magazine doesn’t become confusing.
Extra Information:
Anchorage is when an image has a
caption in order to give it meaning. In this
case, the main image isn’t anchored
however; the article below allows the
reader to understand it’s purpose.
Magazines may also include grab
quotes which picks out key information
to entice the reader.Additionally, magazines will
have an editorial which is an
open-source tool used to
preserve research and any
particular thoughts that they
would like to include in the
magazine.
4. Design:
The double page spread follows a basic layout
because the main image is on the left hand and
the article is on the other page.
The article is structured in columns with the same
column width. By doing this; a lot of information is
able to fit onto one page. The column with is
important because it shows that the magazine has
thought about the use of space. This enables
them to include other images relating to the article.
This then gives the reader an idea of the focus of
the magazine.
The use of images is important because it makes
the page look more attractive. Therefore, the
reader is more inclined to read it because the
images draw the reader in. Additionally images,
enable the reader to understand the article more;
which makes the article more effective.
In order to make the article more enticing; NME
have used a drop cap at the start of the article so
that it interests the reader. This is effective because
by the drop cap being big and bold, it is easier to
see.
Font and type size is important because it enables
certain aspects to stand out which makes the
article more effective. Using the same font
throughout the whole article enables it to appear
well structured. By the main heading being really
big the reader is more inclined to read it, which
then leads to them reading the sub-heading and
eventually the article.
Representation:
On the article page, the denotation of
the images would be that there are
empty beer bottles and plastic cups.
There is also a speaker and a tape
recorder. From these images, the
reader would think that the article is
party related because the images are
genuinely associated with fun and
entertainment.
Therefore, the images have
connotations of Dizzee’s possible laid
back lifestyle which involved lots of
partying and music. Also, the images
could signify that when Dizzee realised
that he wanted to become a rapper; he
learnt that the perks of being a rapper
meant that he would have to go to
parties to promote his music. The
empty bottles could signify having fun
with friends and getting drunk, whereas
the speaker could signify the main focus
of the article – music. The tape recorder
could signify Dizzee recording albums
in the studio or how he started.
Overall Impression:
Overall, I like the double page spread.
Think the colour choices link with the
magazine’s house style which makes it
look well organised. Also the colours
and the main image background
represents the hip-hop industry as it is
very urban which links to spray painted
designs and boom box speakers
The by line is very small which is
significant which is good because it
doesn’t take the attention away from
the main article; however, it still follows
codes and conventions because it’s
included on the page.
The mode of address is direct through
words. This is emphasised by the first
word in the article which is “you”. This
enables the reader to feel like they are
specifically being spoken to which
makes them more inclined to read
more.
The page number is at the bottom of
each page which links to the contents
page. This is significant because it
enables the reader to easily navigate
what is on a particular page.
I don’t think that branding was used
much on the double page because
NME’’s logo is not included on the
pages. However, in the top right hand
corner of the right hand page, it has
Dizzee’s name which is possibly his
own logo.
To improve I think that the double page
spread could be improved by putting
the article on the left instead of the
right. By doing this it would look like
Dizzee’s looking at the article which
mentions his struggle and
achievements. Therefore, it would
How are the images and text
integrated?
The image o the tape recorder could link
to the text because it could signify that
before he became famous; he used to
record his mixtapes using one then
selling them and playing them to anyone
who would hear. Also the heading “tags
to riches” could link to the quotation
“rags to riches” which means starting
from the bottom (poor) until you get what
you want and become rich. Whether
that’s financially or spiritually.
Additionally, the caption says “2009 has
been Dizzee Rascal’s year. This could
5. Identify the elements that
connect the 3 different parts of
the magazine.
Throughout the three different parts of the
magazine, the same house style is
running. This gives the magazine a
professional look and makes it appear well
structured.
On each page, the same font is used
which makes the magazine appear less
confusing. By having the same font on
every page it represents that the focus of
each article is the theme of the magazine;
which is music. However, by having the
same font running throughout it can
become boring because the reader knows
what to expect on each page.
Each page contains at least one image.
This is significant because it allows the
reader to interpret what the magazine is
trying to say to its target audience without
having to read anything. Additionally, all
elements include a model which is
significant because the model will promote
connotations relating to the focus of the
page.
By combining each of these elements onto
each page, NME is able to appeal to its
target audience because thy have created
