Coursework Research Magazine Analysis
The Masthead is very clear and bold and positioned at the top of the page. This is to make sure the title of the magazine can be read from far away. The Masthead is called 'The Source'. This suggests that the magazine is the source you should be reading, it should be the source you get your information on. Its putting a message across to the reader saying this magazine is the source of all information.
The main image is the biggest and boldest image on the page, it is also the only image on the front cover which draws all attention to it. The main image is a medium close-up of celebrity singer Chris Brown, by using a celebrity on the front cover this is known as star appeal. Star appeal is used to attract the audience to the magazine due to people liking the celebrity and because they're famous more people want to read about them. This also links to the main cover line as it is 'Chris Brown'. The main cover line is the cover line which stands out the most and is the most important story of the magazine.
The buzz words say F.A.M.E which again shows star appeal with the use of this word as it says to people that this magazine is to do with the idea of fame so you should read it.
Like most magazine covers the main colours used are red, white and black. this magazine also uses highlights of gold. This shows the magazine is modern and gold connotes wealth and fame again linking back to the idea of star appeal.
The cover lines inform the readers on what the issue is about and what's inside the magazine cover. The magazine also shows a tag line from Lil Wayne, this makes the reader feel intrigued as to what else he has to say. As well as this the tag line is positioned at the very top of the cover linking to the z theory. This is the idea that when a reader looks at the front cover their eyes scan the page in a z shape from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. Furthermore, this shows they have positioned the tag line from Lil Wayne at the top of the page as they want that to be the first thing the reader sees.
The barcode is also on the front to show that the magazine is purchasable and they can buy it. I'd say the target audience for this magazine would be mainstreamers in the socio-economic class C2DE.
This magazine cover is based on rock/punk and was created by Kerrang. The masthead is positioned at the top of the cover as all issues created by Kerrang the title is in the same place, same colour and same cracked effect every time. The cracked effect of the title is used to show that punk/rock vide and have an edgy feeling. By the masthead being the same every time it shows the context of the magazine being the same every time. Kerrang is a popular punk/rock entertainment company. This magazine would be popular already just from the masthead because of how well the company is known. Therefore, they would need the masthead to be strong and bold in order for people to see that this is one of Kerrang's magazines.
The main image is the biggest and boldest image on the page. In this cover we see a close up of Andy Biersack the main singer/guitarist of Black Veil Brides. This is star appeal that s used in order to get the attention of a particular audience so they read your magazine. Star appeal is also shown as there are many pictures of celebrities not just one and all of the cover lines mention at least one famous band. The main image can also be used to show the magazines main focus. Many layers and cover lines are also shown around and over the main image. Most punk/rock magazines have this especially Kerrang as its an ongoing convention for that particular magazine company.
Similar to the last magazine I analysed , the magazine has a tag line at the top of the page also linking to another famous band. This shows the reader some more information on what's inside the magazine. The cover lines are also positioned differently to the last magazine I analysed. For example on this magazine by Kerrang the cover lines are scattered around the page and there are more cover lines on this magazine than The Source magazine. This magazine uses a wider variety of colours and is bright and bold this makes the magazine stand out. This is in contrast with The Source magazine as the source focuses more on the main image and isn't as colourful, it is more bland and plain.
Again the barcode is presented on the front of the cover to show it is purchasable. The target audience for this magazine would be for the socio-economic class C2DE and between the ages of 14-25 as it has punk/rock themes that most likely any other age wouldn't be into.
In this double page spread there are lots of images used to make the pages look less daunting upon the reader which is perfect for showing the appropriate age range for the magazine as there isn't so much writing to read. The images break up the double page spread and makes it more fun and interesting for the reader. This images are inset images and there are lots of them. They relate to the article and show all kinds of different punk/rock bands. Captions are used on each inset image to briefly describe what is happening.
There are many different bold colours in the magazine, for example the use of yellow boxes makes that information in the boxes stand out as they are the brightest on the page and makes the reader read them. There is a list of "Favourite Bands" which also shows the age range for this magazine and creates fun for the reader and curiousness as to which band is currently popular. This part of the double page spread is split into columns this is conventional and makes it easier for the audience to read.
The graphic structure has been added in addition with the magazine. There is a red circle in the top right corner showing "26 Bands You Need To Hear". This stands out to the audience and draws attention to other bands that are new. So it gives the other bands publicity as a big named punk/rock entertainment company like Kerrang are telling their readers they must listen to them.
Psychographics is used here as the only people who are interested in punk/rock music are going to read it. The type of audience who would read this would be Aspirers. I wouldn't say that punk/rock is mainstream id say its more of a niche audience.
