NME Magazine
AudienceThe main audience of this magazine would be males, aged 16-24 and from social grade ABC1 which is upper middle class, middle class and lower middle class.
Layout & Font
The layout of this magazine is of a conventional music magazine with a large masthead and a reoccurring font.
Colours
Bold red, white and black colours with a slight bit of yellow, all stands out on the shelves and will stand out to a young audience.
Cover Lines
Stories about famous bands including reviews of new albums and tours, it also covers interviews with well known artists.
Cover Star
The cover features two famous artists well known by most people interested in music so it will automatically attract an audience interested in this genre of magazine.
Title
Title
Short bold title which is easy to be remembered, it stands for New Musical Express but shortening it makes it easier for readers to remember. It’s catchy and in capitals making it more bold and easier to notice on a shelf in shop.
Size & Amount of Text
The size of the font is different all across the page making different bits stand out however the most important parts are in a larger size font. The title is the biggest, then the main cover line and then the other cover lines with an even smaller description. Their size is in order of importance.
KERRANG! Magazine
Audience“Young, individually minded and passionate consumers, an audience defined by attitude, passion and loyalty.”
Layout & Font
The layout of this magazine is big and bold and will easily stand out on shelves, it has a bold masthead making the title stand out among others and it has lots of smaller pictures as well as one main cover image. The font is all in capitals making it all stand out on the shelves.
Colours
The main colour scheme of this magazine is also red, white and black, also with a slight bit of yellow.
Cover Lines
The main cover lines on this magazine are about bands such as My Chemical Romance and Bring Me The Horizon, these are both bands that people interested in the genre of this magazine would know. Having cover lines featuring people like this will instantly attract their audience as they're famous and it will stand out to many people.
The main cover lines on this magazine are about bands such as My Chemical Romance and Bring Me The Horizon, these are both bands that people interested in the genre of this magazine would know. Having cover lines featuring people like this will instantly attract their audience as they're famous and it will stand out to many people.
Cover Star
The cover artist of this magazine is one of the members of My Chemical Romance, he is a well known artist that would be immediately noticed by the target audience of this magazine. Having a well known music artist on the front cover is a great way of attracting people to buy the magazine.
Title
The title 'KERRANG!' is like an onomatopoeia for music, which is a clever title for a music magazine. It is catchy and memorable and having it in capital letters with an exclamation mark makes it stand out a lot more on the cover.
Fonts
There is a reoccurring font on the cover page and it is all in bold letters. The main cover line is in a larger font and the less important cover lines in a smaller font.
Size & Amount of Text
There isn't a great deal of text on the cover page but the more important cover lines are in a larger font and the less important cover lines are all in smaller fonts.
Q Magazine
Audience"Q's audience is composed of passionate, engaged and open minded music fans driven to continually discover new music - and to use this lust for discovery to influence their friends. The audience is split 75% male to 25% female and is affluent (with 68% ABC1)."
Layout & Font
The layout of this cover is quite unique, it doesn't follow usual conventions like the masthead; the logo/title is in the corner rather than along the top.
Colours
Again the colours of this magazine are red, black and white, these are bold dramatic colours that work well together.
Cover Lines
All of the cover lines on this magazine are in capital letters, they all feature well known bands and artists. These will all attract a wide audience that a lot of people will be interested in. The main cover line is in large letters at the bottom of the screen making this the main focus of the cover.
Cover Star
The cover star of this issue is Cheryl Cole, she is well known by many people as an artist and also as a general celebrity meaning a lot of people will be attracted to the cover. If you featured a person that wasn't well known then the sales probably wouldn't be as popular.
Title
The title 'Q' is short, catchy and easy to remember. It can also be used as a logo as well as a title. The title is big and bold and one of the main focuses of the cover.
Fonts
There are a few different fonts used on this cover, all of the font is in capitals and the cover lines are boxed in on the screen to make them stand out on the cover.
Size & Amount of Text
Size & Amount of Text
The more important cover lines are in large font and in capital letters and the less important cover lines are in a small font. Overall there is quite a lot of text compared to most music magazines.
VIBE Magazine
Audience
Title
Fonts
Size & Amount of Text
The size of the font varies throughout the cover, the title and more important cover lines are in a larger font and the less important cover lines are in a smaller font so that the more important lines stand out first. There isn't a great deal of text on this cover and all of the cover lines are shortened to be catchy but still understandable.
Music Magazine Cover Conventions
Layout & Font
The reoccurring layout is with a large masthead, a centred model and a cover lines down the sides with a main cover line in the bottom half of the cover. The main fonts on the cover are following a house style with colours and font.
Colours
VIBE Magazine
AudienceThe audience of this magazine is both men and women, from teens to mid-twenties
Layout & Font
Layout & Font
The layout of this cover is very traditional to most magazines, it has a large masthead and bold fonts.
Colours
The main colours of this cover are red, black and white, these are all bold colours that will stand out on shelves among other magazines and very eye catching.
Cover Lines
The cover lines on this cover are all about artists of this music genre making it easily and quickly attract people of this audience who are interested in this music genre.
Cover Star
The cover star of this issue is Trey Songz so people who are interested in R'n'B will be attracted to this cover. Also because the man on the cover is good looking and topless, it will immediately attract a large female audience as well as the male audience they closely focus on already.
Title
The title 'VIBE' fits well with this type of music genre and is cleverly music based. The title is in capital letters making it stand out to many people on the shelves, it is also in bold letters so it will attract lots of people.
Fonts
There is a reoccurring font throughout this cover, this gives the magazine a house style making it look more professional.
Size & Amount of Text
The size of the font varies throughout the cover, the title and more important cover lines are in a larger font and the less important cover lines are in a smaller font so that the more important lines stand out first. There isn't a great deal of text on this cover and all of the cover lines are shortened to be catchy but still understandable.
Music Magazine Cover Conventions
Audience
There is an equal audience of male to female in these magazine covers, the main audience age is teens to mid-twenties.
There is an equal audience of male to female in these magazine covers, the main audience age is teens to mid-twenties.
Layout & Font
The reoccurring layout is with a large masthead, a centred model and a cover lines down the sides with a main cover line in the bottom half of the cover. The main fonts on the cover are following a house style with colours and font.
Colours
The main colours on these covers is a theme of black, red and white and a lot of them use a slight bit of yellow for puffs too. They are all bold colours that go well together and go well with the theme of a music magazine.
Cover Lines
Title
Fonts
Size & Amount of Text
The text is in different sizes, the more important things in larger font and the less important in smaller font. There isn't a great amount of text on the cover, just key artists and features in the magazine, all of the main highlights.
Cover Lines
The main cover lines on all of these magazines feature band names to attract a wider audience and they are all very short and to the point with no sentences or a lot of words. The cover lines all appear down the sides of the cover and usually with one main cover line, normally in larger font at the bottom of the cover.
Cover Star
Cover Star
The cover stars on these covers all feature famous music artists however as this isn't possible for me to do for my cover I will include a model of my own and make them look famous. Also I will try and include a musical instrument or something to link them to my music genre so that it is clear to the audience that they are a music artist.
Title
The titles of these magazines are all a main focus of the magazines, the titles themselves are either onomatopoeia's or something else music related to also make clear to the audience that the magazine has a music genre.
Fonts
The covers usually have a reoccurring house style with their fonts using a set of colours and mostly one font.
Size & Amount of Text
The text is in different sizes, the more important things in larger font and the less important in smaller font. There isn't a great amount of text on the cover, just key artists and features in the magazine, all of the main highlights.
Music Magazine Contents Page Research
1)
2)
Layout & Font
Layout & Font
4)
Layout & Font
Conventions of Magazine Contents Pages
1)
Layout & Font
The layout of this photo uses a lot of boxes and photos, there is a clear heading with large pictures. Everything is put into columns and boxes to make it clear. The font is mostly in capitals and its not very bold.
The layout of this photo uses a lot of boxes and photos, there is a clear heading with large pictures. Everything is put into columns and boxes to make it clear. The font is mostly in capitals and its not very bold.
Colours
The main colours of this contents page are red, black and white; the colours are very bold and go well together making it look very professional.
Photos
The photo on this cover is edited nicely to fit in with the genre of the magazine and the photo clearly indicates a feature that is inside the magazine.
The photo on this cover is edited nicely to fit in with the genre of the magazine and the photo clearly indicates a feature that is inside the magazine.
Heading
The heading of this page is clearly indicated in capitals at the top of the screen along with the title/logo of the magazine.
The heading of this page is clearly indicated in capitals at the top of the screen along with the title/logo of the magazine.
Size & Amount of Text
The size of the text is fairly small all across the page and it is larger for the titles. There is quite a lot of text on the page and it is clear what is in the magazine and the details about them.2)
Layout & FontThe layout of this contents page is very organised, there is a lot of photos and its all boxed into chunks so that you can see all the different features. The font id the same for all the font other then the 'DRUMMER' title which is in a bold font.
Colours
The main colours of this contents page is red, black and white; these colours all go together well and fit the genre of the magazine. The colours are all bold and matching making it look professional.
The main colours of this contents page is red, black and white; these colours all go together well and fit the genre of the magazine. The colours are all bold and matching making it look professional.
Photos
There are a variety of photos on this contents page with,all edited to match the colour scheme of the magazine.
There are a variety of photos on this contents page with,all edited to match the colour scheme of the magazine.
Heading
The heading is bold and in capitals making the format and layout of the page easy to follow.
The heading is bold and in capitals making the format and layout of the page easy to follow.
Size & Amount of Text
There isn't a great deal of text on this page it just gives you a list of the content in the magazine. There isn't extra unnecessary text, just simple titles and a small bit of detail.
3)There isn't a great deal of text on this page it just gives you a list of the content in the magazine. There isn't extra unnecessary text, just simple titles and a small bit of detail.
Layout & FontThere layout on this page uses a lot of boxing to organise the different contents. There is a lot of highlighted text giving it an edgy look. The font all works well with the layout, its fairly basic and quite bold.
Colours
The colours of this cover are again black, white and red which work well for most music magazines and genres. The colours all go really well together making it look appealing and professional.
The colours of this cover are again black, white and red which work well for most music magazines and genres. The colours all go really well together making it look appealing and professional.
Photos
There is only one photo on this contents page which makes it look quite simple although not very professional. The photo doesn't look very well taken or edited and its quite simple bringing down the overall quality and professional look of the contents page.
Heading
The heading of this contents page stands out very well, it is bold and well presented making it clear what the page is.
Heading
The heading of this contents page stands out very well, it is bold and well presented making it clear what the page is.
Size & Amount of Text
There is quite a lot of text on this contents page giving details of each feature and also a 'THIS WEEK' feature that a lot of music magazines seem to have in their contents pages.
There is quite a lot of text on this contents page giving details of each feature and also a 'THIS WEEK' feature that a lot of music magazines seem to have in their contents pages.
4)
Layout & FontThe layout of this magazine is very busy with one main picture, a lot of text and a lot going on. It is organised into boxes like a lot of the other contents pages and it has a clear structure.
Colours
The main colour scheme of this contents page is red, white and black. These colours all go together well making the magazine look appealing and professional.
The main colour scheme of this contents page is red, white and black. These colours all go together well making the magazine look appealing and professional.
Photos
There are many photos on this contents page making it look busy and interesting. It shows lots of different pictures from all different features in the magazine and they all work well with the genre of the magazine.
There are many photos on this contents page making it look busy and interesting. It shows lots of different pictures from all different features in the magazine and they all work well with the genre of the magazine.
Heading
The heading is bold and rustic making it look very rock inspired which goes well with the rock genre of the magazine and makes it look very appealing. The heading is clear and a main feature of the page.
The heading is bold and rustic making it look very rock inspired which goes well with the rock genre of the magazine and makes it look very appealing. The heading is clear and a main feature of the page.
Size & Amount of Text
All of the text is fairly small other then the heading although there is a lot of text on the page. The headings of all of the content is short and precise with not a lot of detail however there is as large section of writing at the top of the page making it look like a lot of text.Conventions of Magazine Contents Pages
Layout & Font
The main conventions of the layout are basic boxing shapes. Everything is organised into sharp shaped with one main picture and often smaller pictures too.
The main conventions of the layout are basic boxing shapes. Everything is organised into sharp shaped with one main picture and often smaller pictures too.
Colours
The main colours are all red, black and white; these all go well together and make it look very professional. They also work well for music magazines as they are very bold and bright.
The main colours are all red, black and white; these all go well together and make it look very professional. They also work well for music magazines as they are very bold and bright.
Photos
There is usually one main photo that fits in with the rest of the page/colour scheme and then a range of smaller other pictures that relate to features inside the magazine.
There is usually one main photo that fits in with the rest of the page/colour scheme and then a range of smaller other pictures that relate to features inside the magazine.
Heading
The heading is always at the top of the page, it is always big, bold and a main focus of the page and it is usualy in capital letters.
The heading is always at the top of the page, it is always big, bold and a main focus of the page and it is usualy in capital letters.
Size & Amount of Text
Most of the text is in a very small font and there is a lot of it. Most of the contents page lists use very little writing for the headings and often just band names etc.Double Page Spread Research
1)
Layout & FontThe layout of this double page spread looks like an open book, this is an authentic professional look that makes the page look very original.
Colours
The main colours used on this double page spread is red, black and white, these colours all go well together and make it look professional and appealing.
Photos
The main colours used on this double page spread is red, black and white, these colours all go well together and make it look professional and appealing.
Photos
There are two large photos on this spread which are both edited nicely to match the colour scheme of the magazine. The photos all look very professional and give an accurate idea about what is in the article.
Heading
There isn't a main large heading on this spread which doesn't follow convention but still makes it look interesting.
There isn't a main large heading on this spread which doesn't follow convention but still makes it look interesting.
Size & Amount of Text
2)
Layout & FontThe layout of this spread is different to a lot of them, it has a large picture covering most of the page and it looks very professional.
Colours
The main colours of this spread are grey, white, black and pink, this is a nice effect and makes the page look professional as all of these colours go together nicely. The main thing about the colours is that they are all fairly neutral but the pink brightens it it up.
Photos
There is one photo on this spread of a man cropped onto a plain grey screen which then works as a background for the text. This works well as it makes the article look interesting and the photo is edited well to match the colour scheme.The main colours of this spread are grey, white, black and pink, this is a nice effect and makes the page look professional as all of these colours go together nicely. The main thing about the colours is that they are all fairly neutral but the pink brightens it it up.
Photos
Heading
The heading of this spread is slanted and bold. The heading is a quote from the interview which will instantly make you want to read more about it.
Size & Amount of Text
The size of most of the text in this spread is very small and there is quite a lot of it. The text doesn't cover a great deal of the two pages though which is nice as the background of the picture works well as a background for the font.
The size of most of the text in this spread is very small and there is quite a lot of it. The text doesn't cover a great deal of the two pages though which is nice as the background of the picture works well as a background for the font.
3)
Layout & FontThe layout of this spread is fairly simple, the cover picture taking up one entire half of the spread and the article taking up the other half.
Colours
Colours
The main colours of this spread are black, white, red and black. These colours are all chosen well for a music magazine as they go with most genres and they match each other well. They are all bold, bright colours that will stand out on the shelf among others.
Photos
Photos
There are two pictures on this spread, one large one taking up an entire page and another small one that fits in with the story. The picture isn't particularly well taken for a music magazine as there is no relation to music however it is a nicely edited photo that matches the colour scheme.
Heading
Heading
There is a long title for this spread, however it gives the reader an insight as to what is in the article. The title in a bold font making the layout of the spread clear.
Size & Amount of Text
Size & Amount of Text
The size of the font is fairly small but there is quite a lot of text. The text fills up one side of the page as there is quite a lot of it.
4)
Layout & FontThe layout of this spread is fairly different to most, there is more content and a lot more pictures where most normally have one or two.
Colours
Colours
The main colours of this spread are black, white and red. These colours all go together well for a rock magazine and they are bold and bright making them stand out.
Photos
Photos
There are a lot of photos on this spread and they are all edited black and white to match the colour scheme. They all go well with the theme and with each other making it look more professional.
Heading
Heading
The heading of this spread is a quite from the article giving the reader an insight into what is in the article,this might interest the reader and make them want to read more. The heading is also large and bold in a gothic font to match the genre of the magazine.
Size & Amount of Text
The size of the font is fairly small and there isn't a great deal of it making it look a little empty in terms of story.
Size & Amount of Text
The size of the font is fairly small and there isn't a great deal of it making it look a little empty in terms of story.
Conventions of Double Page Spreads
Layout & Font
Usually the layouts of all of the double page spreads have half the page filled with a large image of the artist that the spread is about and then the other half of the page is filled with the article or interview etc.
Colours
Most of the colours used are black, white and red. These go well together, are bold, bright and they are good for most music genres.
Photos
The photos normally take up half of the spread and there is sometimes a smaller photo in the image too. The photos are normally edited to match the colour scheme or they are cropped to make a clear background.
Heading
The headings on all of these spreads are usually quotes from the article or interview etc so that when the reader sees it they might want to read further and understand what the article is about.
Size & Amount of Text
The size of the text is mostly very small and on one side of the spread. However there is quite a lot of text and it is all in the same font.
Questionnaire
1) Age?
2) Male or female?
3) Do you read music magazines?
4) If so, what music magazines do you read?
3) Do you read music magazines?
4) If so, what music magazines do you read?
5) What sort of stories would you like to see in music magazines?
6) What sort of colour scheme would you like to see in a music magazine?
7) What sort of cover lines would you like to see on a music magazine?
8) What sort of cover star would you like to see on a music magazine?
9) What sort of title would you expect to see on a music magazine?
10) What genre of music magazine would you prefer to read?
Questionnaire Findings
Do you read music magazines?
From this question I found that most people ages 16 do not read a lot of music magazines however from ages 17 upwards, more read music magazines.
If so, what music magazines do you read?
If so, what music magazines do you read?
The main music magazines the people from my questionnaire read were Kerrang, Q and NME, these are mostly Indie magazines.
What sort of stories would you like to see in music magazines?
The main features the people from my questionnaire would like to see in music magazines was information on album releases, gig dates, interviews and upcoming artists.
What sort of colour scheme would you like to see in a music magazine?
Bright bold colours but not too tacky, a lot people said that they would like to see red, black and white on a music magazine but also dark colours, nothing too bright and tacky.
What sort of cover lines would you like to see on a music magazine?
Exciting, exclusive and upcoming music. They said they should be short and snappy with clear information on the stories featured inside.
What sort of cover star would you like to see on a music magazine?
Most people said upcoming music artists and people in the charts at the moment.
What sort of title would you expect to see on a music magazine?
Most people said one word titles, short that reflect the overall theme and genre of the magazine. Also people said that an abbreviated title would be catchy and can make a good title for music magazines.
What genre of music magazine would you prefer to read?
I found that people around the age of 18 mostly want to read Indie magazines as apposed to any other genre of music.
