Radial analysis of contents pages

Radial analysis of front cover rock magazines

Planning and analysing of magazines

Both of these magazines share the same genre of rock. Kerrang is a well known music channel and radio station playing rock music to viewers. The rock genre is also shown through the main singer of Green Day presented on the front cover with a guitar. Also conventional factors of mise en scene of a rock magazine of the character are shown through the use of his clothing. This is emphasised with his black shirt and trousers with his tie hanging down in a very casual motion.

In addition, the Mojo magazine reflects the genre of rock but in a subtler manner. Although we see a famous rock star he is just sitting down, presenting himself as very clam and motionless compared to the Kerrang magazine. Furthermore, he is also wearing a brown jacket that suggests a boring but yet sophisticated tone. Therefore, the Mojo magazine shows the rock genre in a less indirect way as the Kerrang cover suggests the rock genre in a more obvious way.

The magazines also convey to similar audiences as they share factors that express the rock genre. They both have clear images of rock artists representing the magazine who can immediately relate to rockers. The magazines clearly appeal to their audience from their content, such as rock bands, ‘Slipknot’ and ‘Wild beasts’. Also most of the texts on the front covers seem to have the same informal effect from their positioning of being at angle.

The denotations of the Kerrang magazine are shown clearly. The largest one is the image of the ‘Green Day’ music artist. This has an effect of telling the reader the magazine is about rock music and applies to anyone who likes rock.

The connotation of this main image is very dominant because of its’ low angle shot. It also connotes a very laid back approach, along with a cool sense by his waistcoat. The image also suggests a rock aspect because stereotypically people tend to symbolise rock with the colour black.

The denotation of the main image of the Mojo magazine is a Syd Barrett also telling the audience it is a rock magazine. This is also mentioned in the main cover line shown in the middle of the page.

Connotation of this image implies a less dominant effect since the artist is relaxed and is wearing a brown colour which is not very exciting. However, the magazine has cleverly shown their image in the middle of the page. The large skyline text appears to be the furthest away from the audience, with the masthead in the background amongst the main cover line and CD cover, which appears to be larger than Syd Barrett makes the main image positioned in the centre of the page. This also has another effect as this also creates a 3-D dimensional perspective as text and images appear to be coming out of the page.

The Kerrang magazine consists of many features, specifically a USP- a unique selling point. The type of language the magazine uses is so significant and grabs the reader’s attention. Using words like ‘PLUS’, ‘BEST’ and ‘WIN’ help to attract the audience of purchasing the magazine as they draw certain types of people.

Furthermore, the Mojo magazine also uses words, such as ‘FREE CD!’ and ‘YOUR VOTES COUNTED’. These phrases engage the audience and are selling points, which are vital to the magazine’s revenue. Also, focusing on the word ‘FREE’ is required to enhance the USP, which contributes to the magazine features.

Additionally, the Mojo and Kerrang magazine’s layout is fairly similar. This is because a music rock magazine front cover is usually very busy and filling up the page. From both magazines the main image is situated in the middle of the page with text around it. The masthead for the Kerrang and Mojo magazine is positioned behind the image, which gives a sense of popularity of the masthead and how confident the makers are of their title. The main cover line is also laid out in the middle of the page but in front of the image, which may cause the audience to get an idea of what the magazine is about.

Introduction of main task

My main AS media task is to now produce a music magazine. I will try and use my skills from the preliminary exercise and try to enhance my knowledge of creativity, especially by using programs such as Photoshop.

The genre that I have chosen to associate my music magazine to is rock. I think this allows me to challenge extreme codes and conventions, as rock magazines seem to demonstrate an eccentric theme.

Preliminary magazine

Flat plan for contents page

Planning and Research

Typefaces and Fonts

As you can see I have created a few names of the magazine, extracted from my school name. I have tried to vary my labeling of my magazine to give myself more options to choose from. I will possibly cancel down the names from my selection to three respectable identifications. Afterwards I will then ask people, specifically my target audience and ask them which of the three names would seem eye catching and appealing. In my opinion a title of a magazine should consist of a representation and associated with the content inside the magazine. According to the mastheads they all attain the word ‘Heston’, hence telling the reader straight away that it will affect people in the area and from the school.

Next to the chosen magazine mastheads are the typefaces in which they are written in. Different typefaces convey different effects and should be used in certain cases. For example, if I were designing a magazine for men I would possibly choose a thick bold and large font type, as with women I may use a more delicate and streamlined text.

Layout

From the flat plans above, going towards my finished flat plan on the right, each one has been developed. the middle flat plan was created first, moving the left comes afterwards which attains more of a completed theme. This is because I considered using a button/ flash and an anchor/ model credit. A button/ flash is usually brightly coloured and attractive, attaining a information stating, e.g. 'win tickets to school play/trip'.

Focusing on my flat plan (on the right), I would recognise the layout as fairly balanced. This is because it shows signs of uniqueness and style intertwined with a touch of professionalism. This is shown through the use of positioning of the text boxes, specifically where the small images and cover lines are not straight but rotated slightly to make the front page edgy and consist of character. These are amongst other features such as the title, which has a simple standard layout position. In addition to this, a left third is clearly presented and should show a natural column in relation to the image. The layout of the magazine could perhaps be improved by making space for some teasers and a strap line commenting on a school slogan. This will also improve and ensure a more positive attraction towards the reader. A possible slogan could be ‘strengthening our community through excellence in education’.

Features

The front page of the mag/newsletter should contain stories that interest the reader, also known as the target audience. However, simultaneously luring the reader into purchasing and reading the text inside.

Since my magazine is about the Heston school and the issue of not having built a new common room for sixth form students, I will consider the following stories:

An interview with the headmaster

Responses of the 6th formers and teachers

Other unrelated stories:

Abroad trips for students to Berlin and New York New

construction on campus

These stories will form a sense connection between the reader and the magazine almost acting like a third person informing what is going on in school. Also, these particular points will possibly give students and teachers a greater insight of what they can take part in and what the headmaster is going to do about certain issues.

Research on magazines and their image/s

Magazines use specific images to create and portray a story in a more visual sense. Images can be very direct and can have a huge impact on the reader. This is because certain pictures can symbolise what the magazine is about and therefore will relate to particular people. For example, focusing on the GQ magazine, printed on the front page is the Irish actor Colin Farrell. The male representative of GQ is wearing a fashionable, stylish suit. This immediately suggests the magazine contains some sort of information of the latest clothes and fashion, hence luring the individuals who are interested in their appearance. Focusing on the image itself, from the colourful background of Colin Farrell has made him well known in parts of the world. As a useful technique used by the magazine have mirrored Colin’s life style to the magazine. The reason for this is the person on the front of the magazine may tell a story presented to the reader, in this case Colin Farrell can be linked in with the skyline of the page.

http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/

This GQ website relates to the magazine as it advertises celebraty stories. The magazine is also an insight to the wedsite and acts as a first sight of tha name GQ, being able to lead the readers to the actual website, as the website is shown on the side of the magazine.

Introduction to preliminary task

The preliminary task consists of using DTP (Quark/Publisher) and Photoshop which should be required to produce a front page of a new school. In this case I am using my high school, ‘Heston Community School’ to design my front page of my magazine.
I hope to achieve and to create a positive impression of my front cover, as I would like it to seem eye catching and interesting. Additionally, I would also try and learn to extend my knowledge of Photoshop and to improve my skills which can be considered in the future for greater uses.

The main requirements for this preliminary task are to have a medium shot of an image, situated on the front page. Along with the medium shot image, appropriate laid out text and a masthead should also be included on the front page. I will try to use these requirements to portray an affect towards the reader. This includes the deliberate positioning of the features of the front page, in order to present an eye-catching approach towards the target audience.

‘Heston Community School’ has accomplished a great success of rebranding the school as having built a new building, known as the ‘Hogarth Building’. As a result, my idea covers on how the school has developed in a positive manner. This is because the new building offers new equipment, such as computers and interactive white boards. In addition this will prove beneficial to students, particularly the sixth formers as they can use their free periods and study in the new library.

The new building for students, especiallu for A- level pupils, hence making my target audience the sixth form group, specifically 17- 19 year olds. When creating a front page for this particular audience, the front page should seem to convey a funky and young adult appeal, to attract certain individuals. Additionally, I hope to suggest a trendy magazine cover, however, I should do this very carefully. This is because although the magazine refers mainly to pupils, this does not mean that older people (teachers) or even younger students can read the text. Therefore I hope to create a range of audiences by creating the magazine consisting of a balance of style and yet having a sense of professionalism. Teachers should also read this magazine because the magazine should also convey a more structured and informed manner, thereby suggesting appropiate material for them.

The purpose of my publication is to inform students and teachers about news and any events that have occured or that are going to take palce. The magazine should also raise the voice of students show what certain people think about differnt issues. Teachers should also be informed as trips and other situations may affect them.

If my magazine was real, I think it should be distributed monthly. The reason for this is that the magazine focuses on the the different things hapening in the school. Although some individuals know what's occuring in the schol but may need an update, which is why I think it would be best if the magazine came out monthly. This will also create an idea of something new every month and therefore the magazine will not get boring.

I will try to attract students and teachers to read this from different features of the magazine. For example, the typeface will not seem too childish, such as ‘bubble writing’ and at the same time not too strict. I will also use a fair amount of bright colours and images to create an eye- catching magazine. On the magazine there could be a possibility that it could also attain sub headings and a few bullet points, explaining what the magazine content is.

In order to achieve my full potential of creativity, I will experiment with different programs. Photoshop is one of the programs that I enjoy using as it provides great effects, which can be applied to my uses. It will also assist me in attracting my audience from the creative design tools it has. Another element I will test is the layout of the page. This may prove significant as it may determine how my magazine is perceived from viewers.