Music Magazine Contents Page Analysis 1

The contents page of Vibe is typical in that there are many conventional denotations and connotations of magazine contents pages. The contents page of any magazine provides one main purpose which is to inform the reader of what is expected in the magazine. This purpose allows promotion of the magazine as a whole and provides a brand identity which allows the audience to identify with. As with any type of magazine, the contents page of Vibe has a clear and concise structure/layout this is so readers know exactly what is included in the magazine and what pages to find the articles/posters or information on. Vibe usually has three contents pages in their magazine; this allows the text to be spread out which benefits the audience in that they are not bombarded with information. Also the text of the contents page is in a single column on the right hand side of the page which makes way for the main image which is seen to be the main focus with Vibe magazine.  There is use of two main colours in the contents page which is black and grey both are effective as they blend with the grey background which give the contents page a classy subtle look which could be tied in with the theme of the magazine hence draws the audience’s attention.

The background of the contents page is a light grey wash whilst the ‘V’ of the background is a dark grey. The contrast of the two greys is clever as it provides brand identity which audience can identify with as well as promoting the magazine. Vibe’s contents page subverts the typical conventions readers expect to see in other magazines as it doesn’t have a title as such or a date.

The main image which is central of the page is of the rapper Kanye West. This could suggest that he would be featured in one of the articles. The medium shot of Kanye West is also grey with the exception of a female’s hand holding a red heart over the left side of Kanye’s heart, this could represent his sexuality. He also wears a grey suit with his hands in his pockets which suggest he is confident as well as depicting a laid back attitude.  The contrast could suggest that maybe the theme of the magazine is about love. Also as the whole colour scheme of the contents page is grey which is associated with cold feelings, the red heart in a way adds some warmth to the page. The shot uses a direct mode of address which shows that it is directly addressing the audience. However in my opinion the contents does not really seem to draw the audience in as the colours and the image used are quite dull looking and depressing.

At the bottom of the magazine is the website for the magazine. Here Vibe is identifying with their target audience as contemporary media users (internet). The contents page of this Vibe’s issue shows that there main theme is love, money and fashion.

Music Magazine Front Cover Analaysis 3

Kerrang is a rock music magazine published by Bauer Consumer Media in the United Kingdom and is issued once a month. The magazine's name is onomatopoeic as it refers to the sound made when playing a power chord on an electric guitar. The name Kerrang can be used as a means of identifying with their target audience which is 16-24 year old both male and female who have an acquired taste for music (Rock and Heavy metal).

In regards to the copy the text is different in comparison to Vibe and Rap up in that there are a number of different fonts used (Arial and Calibri) however is similar as it uses the same two colours in the text which are white and yellow which stand out amongst the rest of magazine and draw the reader in.

The main image is of the Green Day band. The shot used is a medium close up which enables the audience to see all three of the band members. A direct mode of address is also used which can be used to address the audience and grab there attention. Hand in hand the conventions that are used grab and draw audiences attention thus expanding individual’s music knowledge as well as keeping them updated with information from the music genres the magazine specialises in which expands their musical knowledge. Other typical features like barcodes and dates are seen in music magazines which just inform the audience about how recent the issue is and the price of the music magazine.

The mast head is written in a black bold font in front of a white background which makes it stand out. Other headings like ‘Steel Panther’ are written in yellow with a black background, the contrast of the two colours makes the text stand out which again is used to catch audience attention. Furthermore the catchy phrases give an insight as to what the magazine is about. For example ‘Everything YOU wanted to know about the punk megastars’, not only address the audience directly but gives the audience a hint as to what is included in the magazine.The word 'plus' also grabs the audiences attention as it directly infroms them. It shows that there is more to the content of the magazine which incourages audience to buy the magazine.

On the right hand side of the page there are a number of images of rock artists. The heading above it tells the audience that there are posters of these rock artists inside the magazine. From this peice of information we are able to conclude that Kerrang readers like posters as a feature of the magazine.

Music Magazine Front Cover Analaysis 2

Rap up is a music magazine which is globally recognised. It was founded in 2001 and has featured world renowned artists such as Drake, Rhianna and Beyonce. In 2006 Rap up was nominated for    ‘Best new consumer publication’, and received an award for ‘Best Hip Hop magazine’. Two issues of Rap up are released per year of which target specific themes. For example the Rap Up magazine featured above was issued in Summer 2005 and its key theme was money as shown in the masthead.The theme of money connoted on the mast head and the sell line on the left suggest that the featured artists have a lot of money and audience can get rich like them by reading '18 power hustlers- get that money'. Thus is a means of audience identification.Another view of the money theme could be of how artists got their money. The colloquial word'hustle' perhaps suggests that some artists made money by hustling. The magazines title has connotations of youth culture as ‘rap’ is associated with youth as well as depicting musical elements. From its connotations we are able to tell that the target audience for Rap up magazine is roughly 16 – 24 year olds, both male and female.

In regards to the copy, majority of the text is written in block capitals in Calibri font in the colours white and yellow. This contrasts with the grey/blue background thus making the text stand out and appealing to the audience. Both the white and yellow colours of the text complement each other as they give the magazine a sophisticated but urban look, again appealing to their target audience.

 The main image is long shot of Toni Braxton which is in the centre of the magazine. Although this shot is not a common shot used in music magazine (music magazines usually used medium close ups) it  is a typical feature expected in music magazines in that all music magazines have a famous rapper or singer featured in the middle of the magazine front cover. A long shot of Toni Braxton is used as it complements her womanly figure. A direct form of address is also used which is useful as it draws in audience attention as she looks seductive. Hand in hand the conventions that are used grab and draw audiences thus expanding individual’s music knowledge as well as keeping them updated with information from the music genres the magazine specialises in which expands their musical knowledge. Other typical features like barcodes and dates are seen in music magazines which just inform the audience about how recent the issue is and the price of the music magazine.

The front cover of Rap up is typical in that it has many conventions of music magazines. The mast head and sell lines are both written in white and yellow which are used to attract audience’s attention and to inform them on the content of the magazine. Short catchy phrases like ‘Lil Kim wanna bumble with the Bee?’ grab the audience’s attention and hook them in. Furthermore the catchy phrases give an insight as to what the magazine is about.

Music Magazine Front Cover Analaysis 1

Vibe is a music and entertainment magazine founded by producer Quincy Jones. After shutting down production in Summer 2009, Vibe was purchased by InterMedia Partners and is now issued quarterly. The magazine’s title ‘Vibe’ can be interpreted as  an colloquial connataion, conveying a musical element, as well as depicting youth culture,because of this youth element the target audience for Vibe Music Magazine is 16 – 24 year olds, male and female.

In regards to the copy, most of the text is in blocks with an arial font. The colours yellow and white that are used in the copy not only make the text stand out but provide a strong contrast amongst the black background which makes the text stand out thus drawing the audience in. The font and the colour of the text both are complemntary to eachother as it gives the magazine a classy but ‘hip’ look which reinforces the target audience.

The main image in the centre of Vibe magazine is a meduim close up of ther rapper Drake.A direct mode of address is used which allows the audience to relate to Drake. He also  has a neutral facial expression which convey’s seriousness. He wears a black baseball hat which is signifcant as the target audience can relate to it as youth nowadays wear baseball hats . He also wear’s a black tshirt with the word ‘UNSTOPPABLE’ written on it in capital letters. ‘UNSTOPPABLE’ is written in a block arial font In white which again contrasts with the black tshirt making  the  magazine eye catching and appealing. 

The front cover of Vibe connotes many typical conventions that are expected in music magazines. The mast head and sell lines are written in two basic colours; white and yellow to attract the audience’s attention and to inform them on the content of the magazine. Furthermore the white and yellow colours could be used to appeal the target audience.

Short catchy phrases and alliterations like ‘Drakes hip hop’s new religion and Serena strikes back’ hook and grab the audience’s attention and give an insight as to what is in the magazine. Hand in hand the conventions that are used grab and draw audiences thus expanding individual’s music knowledge as well as keeping them updated with information from the music genres the magazine specialises in which expands their musical knowledge. Other typical features like barcodes and dates are seen in music magazines which just inform the audience about how recent the issue is and the price of the music magazine.

The word 'new' on the corner of the 'V' on the title Vibe is significant as when a person first looks at a magazine their eyes often look towards the top left corner. The word 'new' tells the audience how recent the magazine is and draws them into the magazine. Furthermore in regards to the growing online age, Vibe has a website  link shown above the barcode. This informs the audience that there is more information online and that Vibe has other ways in which they can distribute inorder to keep up with modern technology.

 

School Magazine - Preliminary Task