Cover Lines Analysis

·         Header – Win an all inclusive VIP clubbers holiday to IBIZA  

I have decide to use the cover line as it is in theme with my type of music. It will also intese people in as people are always wanting to win stuff.

·         The fiercest girl in the club - MAZIE LEA

This is going to be my main headline. It is exciting and people want to know more about her. I will also use a pull quote from the interview. “I just don’t let people get in my way.”

·         DJ Ruskus – “Drugs, Sex and the Decks”

I do not feel this cover line is strong enough to be a main story.

·         Highlights of the Ibiza DJ’s season

This also ties in well with my theme of the DJ magazine. Ibiza is a very important place in this type of music and I feel it will bring it together.

·         Best Winter party resorts

This is another main cover line in my magazine. It will draw in my audience with the reference to all the things associated with the dance music scene.

·         Break the Decks

I will not use this cover line as it is boring, it also does not explain what the story is about.

·         Mr Toy – Hotels to Hot Clubs

This story is also boring. It will be a good story on the contents page I don’t feel it is exciting enough to be a cover line.

·         + Pase Rock 

Jasper

Newton’s Wings

A.I.M

Luke Beat

DJ Lo

DJ Frashen

I am going to use this as a cover line as most music magazine I have looked at has had a plus box. This will make my magazine more professional, it will also make the audience know what is inside and want to read more.

Double Page Spread Layout

Contents page block layout

Contents page block layout

Coverpage layout

Magazine titles

Elle – She in French. Aimed at women

Kerrang – Guitar term, reflecting sound of a guitar

Look – Take a look at celebrity’s lives

Closer – Getting closer to the celebrities

Grazier – Thank you, sounds posh and exotic.

FHM – For Him Magazine, key gender

Vogue – High Fashions, designers.

Take a Break – Telling you what it wants you to do.

NME – New Musical Magazine

Mizz – Youthful, Rebellious with the Z Edgy

Bella – Young Beauty, aimed at young girls.

Woman Zone – Selected gender, instantly know there target audience, older women

Smash Hits – junior audience, they only write about top music hits.

Good Housekeeping – Very clear on what it is about

County Living – Aimed at people in the country, probably upper class. About lifestyle.

Horse and Hounds – Aimed at upper class people as it is related to hunting.

Cosmo (Cosmopolitan) – City woman, 21st century

Soup Weekly – Know it’s about soups, and it happens every week.

Q - Started as Men’s quarterly, now more unisex. Single letter is individual.

Men’s Health – instantly know what it is about.  Aimed at men.

Private Eye – heretical view, nothing obvious, political

Punch – Quick, fighting

Diva! – Strong, independent woman

Nuts – Very clear, outrageous, mad and crazy

Glamour – more tacky than Cosmo, glamour models, Girly, Glamour as in expensive.

Hello – Saying hello to audience, and or celebs.

Changes to original proposal

 

I have decided to change my proposal as the audience was also very broad and I feel I will be able to achieve more if I have a smaller, niche audience. The magazine I was planning to make was also more of a teen magazine than music, I am therefore more confident with my new idea.

Genre

The new genre of my magazine is going to be house/dance music. My magazine is going to represent the DJs behind this form of music. It will tend to feature young DJs as my target audience is older teenagers/ younger adults. However, it will occasionally feature older artists as you get a wide range of ages in this form of music. It will also inform the reader about up and coming events, review on past events and the best places to go to find the best atmosphere and music.

Audience

I am going to aim my new magazine at older teenagers to young adults, preferably ranging from 17 – 25. This is the age most people go clubbing, and to dance events so they are my key market. However my magazine could appeal to a range of dance music lovers. As they are mainly students and want to save their money for clubs, and might not be earning a lot, therefore I am going to keep my price low. My audience might be aspiring DJs, working DJs or just enjoy the music.

Intuitions

 I want my magazine to be sold as newsagents and local stores in student area. It will also be avaliable in music stores. It would also be available for subscription, or able to download on the internet.

Colour psychology

Colour psychology is the study of the effect colour had on human beings.

Colours such as red, rich colours are known as warm colours and include red, orange and yellow. These warm colours stimulate emotions and feelings of warmth and comfort to feelings of anger and passion.

Colours such as cool blue colours are known as cool colours and include blue, purple and green. These colours are often described as calm, but can also evoke sadness or indifference.

Red – Red brings text and images to the foreground. It is an accent colour, which can be used to stimulate people to make quick decisions.

Yellow - Yellow is used to promote children's products and items related to leisure. Yellow is very effective for attracting attention, so it can be used to highlight the most important elements of your design. Light yellow tends to disappear into white, so it usually needs a dark colour to highlight it.

Green - Green suggests stability and endurance. Green is used to indicate safety when advertising drugs and medical products. Green is also directly related to nature, so you can use it to promote 'green' products

Blue -Blue can be used to promote products and services related to cleanliness. Blue should not be used when promoting food and cooking, because blue suppresses appetite. When used together with warm colours like yellow or red, blue can create high-impact, vibrant designs

Purple - Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. Light purple is a good choice for a feminine design. You can use bright purple when promoting children's products.

White - In advertising, white is associated with coolness and cleanliness because it's the colour of snow. You can use white to suggest simplicity in high-tech products.

Denotative and Connotative Analysis - NME double page spread

NME music magazine

Denotative

·         At the top of the left page from left to right is the title. It is in yellow and yellow, and is the biggest text on the 2 pages. The title over laps slightly on to the right page.

·         Under this is a subheading in a smaller font. The names are in bold, but the same sans serif font, the same text as the title.  It is in white.  There is no full stop at the end of it.

·         The text starts on the left with a large yellow “i” the same text as the title as well.

·         The text in the columns is small, in size 9 and white it is a different text. There are 4 columns, 3 on the left page and 1 on the right. 3 of them have a drop cap, the same size, font and colour.

·         At the bottom of the 2^nd column is a pull quote. It is in capitals and the same font as the columns but in size 18.

·         At the end of the whole story, underneath it is some text advertising the magazine. It is in the same font the text above it but bold. The website address in the text is in capitals.

·         In the centre of the right page taking up half or portion of the page is a picture of Robyn.

She is in a large thrown like chair. She is wearing a blue and yellow sash, which is held together by a large gold heart broach with pears on, large earrings and a big, lace bracelet, like  queen would wear. She has a cream corset, blue and white shorts, thin lace tights, long thing back socks, a tartan coat, and large maroon clumpy wedges. She has one hand on her hip

·         On the right of her is some yellow text, which is still small. It takes up the whole height of the page.

Connotative

·         The title is the biggest text, and is big and bright as it captures the audience when they are flicking thought the magazine. It is white and yellow as it stands out on the black background  It over laps the gutter to pull the two pages together, this is a good use of cohesion.  

·         This is introduction to the interview. It introduces the artists and what the interview is about. The names are in bold so they stand out so if you like that artist or writer you will want to read the article. There is no full stop so the audience will read on.

·         The text starts with a drop cap so the reader knows where to start and it draws there attention to it.

·         The text is in columns to break it up and make it easier to read. The font is in white as it has a black background and it makes it standout.  All the text is the same as it makes the article look neater.

·         The pull quote also breaks up the text; it also makes the reader interested as they will read it and wonder how it came up, and what it means.

·         The advertisement is at the end of the text because the reader will have read the interview and might want to find out more about the artist and the magazine. It is in a bolder font to make it stand out, the website is also in a capitals for this reason, and it helps the reader remember it, or find the website address easily again.

·         The picture is very big as the audience looking at the magazine may get drawn in by the picture due to likening the artist or wanting to know more about it.

·         She is sat in a thrown and dressed as a queen to tie the picture in with the title

“Queen of cred-pop”.  She also looks important and glamorous.

·         The text to the right of the page is just to fill up the page and to add extra information.

Denotative and Connotative Analysis - NME contents page

Denotative and Connotative analysis of a contents page

NME music magazine

Denotative

·         At the top of the one page, in the middle is the pages title “Inside this week”. It is in a sans serif font, it is the biggest font on the page, and is in bold. Under this in a much smaller font, but the same style is the date.

·         There are 7 main stories on the page, each has a picture. The page number covers the bottom right corner of each picture, the number is a serif font, it is bold and the biggest text in each story box.

·         Under the picture and number is a pull quote from each artist started in the story, the font is different for each story. Under the quote is some more text about the article, it is in a smaller serif font and is the same for each story.

·         There is also a plus box with a list of other stories and regulars in the magazine and page numbers.

·         Each story has a thin line around it.

·         At the bottom of the page in the right corner is a big res box with red font. In it says “ WANT TO GET NME FOR THE BEST POSSIBE PRICE?” and then details on how to subscribe to the magazine.

Connotative

·         The title of the page is the biggest thing on the page as it lets the reader know what the page is, how they can find out what is in the magazine, and also how to find it.

·         The 7 main features have pictures to draw attention to those stories, but they also break up the page.  The page number is also clear; this is so the story is easy to find in the magazine.

·         The pull quotes draw in the audience, they are quirky and odd things to say and therefore the audience want to know why the artists have said it. The text underneath is also to draw in the audience, the comments are very informal which then make the reader feel more included to the magazine, and makes it easier to read.

·         The plus box is to let the read know what else in in the magazine, but there regular features in the magazine and do not need advertising as much. They are also put on the contents page so the audience can find them if they need them.

·         The thin lines around the story make the page easier on the eye, and look simple, yet stylish.

·         Other than the pictures the red box is the biggest thing on the magazine. A main criterion in media is the interest in making money, and getting people to subscribe to the magazine is a way of doing this. For this reason they have made the box big and bright to instantly draw the reader’s attention to it. It is on the contents page because if the reader likes the look of what is in the magazine they are more likely to sign up, it is also an easy place to find if they reader just want the details. The editor have asked a historical question to make the reader think, and most people want value for money so this question grabs the readers attention.

Denotative and Connotative Analysis - NME cover page

Denotative and Connotative analysis

NME music magazine

Denotative

·         The one main image in the centre of the page taking up the whole space, all the writing is on the top of if, around the edges.

·         The image is of David Bowie, it is his face. It is in black and white with odd shades of yellow, pink and blue. As if the lights are on him.

·         In the top left corner is the title of the magazine NME in a serif font, this takes up about half the page width wise and a fifth in height. Above it is that date and the price in a much smaller font. Under NME is “NEW MUSIC EXPRESS” in capitals, these are both in sans serif fonts.

·         There is then a gap and then “Ultimate hero” This is in a sans serif font and if quite a large font. Under this in a Serif big bold font is “DAVID BOWIE”, there is some writing under it in the same font but smaller.  Under this is a list of names, they are in the same sans serif font as the ultimate heroes but smaller.

·         On the right side of the page right at the top is “MGMT” in the same serif font as David Bowie but smaller, under it is a quote in the same font but smaller and not in bold.

This is carried on for 3 other artist/stories underneath this.

·         In the bottom right is a + sign, next to it is some more artists names in the same font as the quotations.

·         In the bottom right corner is the bar code it also has the price ( in bold in English and then smaller in other currencies), the date and the website which is also in bold.  It is not overlapping the picture and has its own white square.

Connotative

·         The main image is in the centre of the page as it is the most important thing on the page and will draw people in.  As it is in unusual colours it makes it more interesting to look at.

·         The NME is in the left top corner due to the “Z” reading rules.  The reader will look at this first and probably recognise the name.  The date and price is in a smaller font so it is less noticeable.  “New Musical Express” shows what NME stands for, people may also know it as this name.

·         You can tell that David Bowie is the main feature in the magazine as he is the image and his name is the second biggest font on the page, (other than the title). They have done this so the audience know what it is about and may buy the magazine for this reason.  The sans serif font of the text above and below his name link them together as you can that

“ Ultimate hero” and the lists of names are related.

·          MGMT is at the top of the right side of that page as it is the second best story.  Their name is the key thing that sells so that is bigger, the quotation then tells the audience what to expect and incites them in.  This is the same for the two other stories, the key point is big and bold and then the information about it is underneath.

·         They have got old artists and new such a David Bowie and MGMT, this makes them appeal to a wider audience. It also suggests that NME is aimed at people that are passionate and have music knowledge by filtering such a music icon.

·         The + sign is at the bottom right as it is one of the last thing the reader will look at. The + stands out as it is saying “there is lots more inside”.

·         The bar code is not on the picture as it needs a white background which the photograph isn’t. It is a legal requirement and is small so it isn’t noticeable and wont ruin the magazines image.

Denotative and Connotative Analysis - Q double page spread

Q music magazine

·         One large image on left page of Lady gaga, Taking up most of the page.

·         She is provocative and semi clad, in a leotard, she has silver star nipple broaches on you can see her tattoos, she has a large chunky metal bracelet on which is decorated in diamonds. Her hair is bleached blonde and has a pink streak in it. She is very made up and had long eye lashes. It is a semi low angle shot.

·         Very large title in the bottom half over the top of the picture. “Lady GAGA” in red and “What I’ve Learned” in black. Same serif font but Lady GAGA is the biggest text on the 2 pages.

·         On right page is a started paragraph at the top of the page.  Font is now sans serif. It is underlined.

·         Underneath it is who the interview is by and the photographer. The names are in bold.

·         The interview is in 3 columns. In the centre of the page is a pull font in red font, It has a thick red box above it, and a thin black line under it. It is in a bigger and bolder font.

·         Each question is in capitals and red. The answers are in a black font the same size.

·         At the end of each column the paragraph follows up to the top of the next columns.  

·         At the end of the interview is the magazines logo, which is the same size as the font in the interview.

·         Around the picture and the interview over the 2 pages is a border. The picture overlaps this border.

·         The footer has the logo, page number, date on the left of the left page then the website then the page break, on the left of the right page is

 “Subscribe at www.greatmagazunes.co.uk” then on the right is the date, page number and logo.

·         The header is a strip of black lines parallel to each other, on the left page there is a break in the pines with writing saying “The most exciting people in music” This is in a sans serif font and is in all capitals.

Connotative

·         They have one full page of a picture of Lady Gaga as she is the star in the interview and the main focus should be on her. It also draws people in if they are flicking thought the magazine. If they like or are interested in Lady Gaga they will immediately want to read the interview.

·         Lady Gaga is dressed very provocatively as she is seen as a sex simple and the magazine want to portray this. Showing her tattoos show she is rebellious, her blond hair and pink streak also suggests this. As it is a low shot it makes her seem powerful. As she is made up it shows she is glamorous, as does the diamonds on her bracelet.

·         The big title immediately tells the audience who the interview is with if they don’t recognise the picture. It is in red as it stands for passion and danger, two things which the picture suggests. “What I have learned” this draws in the reader as they want to know what she has learnt and what she is all about. This takes up half the page as it is the title of the interview and is important.

·         The starter paragraph at the top of the page also intestates people in, “It’s the end of the world as we know it. And the teacup-totting, telephone wearing pop icon is feeling fine.  This is an interdiction to Lady Gaga. It tells the audience she is a pop icon and she is very unusual, seeing as she wears telephones.

·         The interview is written in 3 columns as it breaks up the interview from being one big block of writing.

·         The red pull quote in the centre of the page is the main thing that stands out on the right page; this is so it draws in people attention if they are just flicking through. It is in bright red. The thick red box above it makes it stand out more and breaks it out from the columns. The line underneath it also breaks it out from the text. This pull quote also stops the writing being in one big block and makes it more interesting to read.

·         At the end of each column the paragraph follows up to the top of the next columns, this is so the reader keeps reading.

·         The logo is at the end of each interview as it signifies the interview has come to an end. It also reminds the audience that you are reading and enjoying Q magazine and so you should buy it again.

·         The use of the border round the whole interview and photograph is to tie the two together.

·         The footer is a good use of  brand image. The magazine constantly reminds you it is Q magazine. It is advertisement for itself. If you have enjoyed the interview you see the subscribe at the bottom of the page and there is more chance you will subscribe then or decided to subscribe that after you have put the magazine down.

·         The header ties the interview in to the other pages in the magazine. As it is a double page spread in feature of the magazine the whole feature is tied in as it head this header.

Denotative and Connotative Analysis - Q contents page

Q music magazine

Denotative

·         Along the top of the 2 pages is a red rectangle banner, it is outlined with some 2 black lines. In this banner, on the left is a white “Q” then is the word Contents; however this is half covered with a picture. On the right in white writing is Issue 291 and an image of the front of the magazine, this over laps the banner.

·         There are 10 images on the page, 7 of them have numbers on the. The picture if Jay Z is the biggest, his images overlap on to the banner, covering half of the word content.  3 of these 7 images are pictures of the articles. The others images without numbers are pictures of the artists. The images are mainly focused in the middle of the 2 pages.

·         The page is split in to 3 sections; each section had a red rectangle with white writing in. On the left of the page is Features, on the right side of the right page is Regulars and at the bottom of the right page is The Q Reviews.

·         Each story has a page number in a serif font, there is then the title of the story. Then a thick read line under the title. Under the red line is a description of the story in a small sans serif font. This is repeated for every story.

·         The smallest font is size 10.  This is used for the description of the each item. 

Connotative

·         The red banner is the very big and bold, it lets the reader know what page they are on. The Q  at the top of the page is important as it is reminding the reader of the magazine brand.  The red colour links in to the logo, which creates a sense of cohesion and a brand image.

·         The picture of Jay Z is the most dominating thing on the page, as he head over laps the top banner makes him stand out even more ad his image is so big on the page, he is obviously the thing the magazine want to sell. Jay Z is featured as he is a new musical icon, this shows the magazine are up to date and are good enough to get big stars like him. His sunglasses make him appear mysterious and dominating.

·         The littler images with the pages numbers on are advertisements for that story. It is useful as you can see who that person is if you don’t recognise their name, it is also useful for if a person is choosing to buy the magazine and see a artist they likes image on the contents page they will automatically be more interested in buy Q. The images also break up the font and make the page more exciting to look at. as all of the images feature up to date artists it shows the magazine knows what they are talking about and cam afford to get big artists.

·         The page is split in to 3 sections so it is easier to read, the features are in the left as it is what the audience first read, the features are also what they are trying to sell. Each story is easily recognised from on to the other due to the red line. The numbers are bold and easy to read. The font is small and as there is a large amount of text makes it look like there are several stories and that the magazine is very popular.

·         The reviews at the bottom make it look there are even more stories. It also shows the audience know what they are talking about.