Although, I have already researched two magazines, I decided to get some further ideas. I wanted to see the newest magazines so I went out and bought them. Take a look. Kerrang: Kerrang magazine was exactly what I expected. Dark pages just like the cover, free posters and nothing but music information.
This was the front cover. Just like my last post, I noticed the dark colours, fonts and photographs.
To the left, is an example of one of the posters given away with the magazine. It's great for any music fan.
Here was one of the inside pages. Although it had a light blue, it still kept a dark colour (red) to compliment the rest of the magazine. Top Of The Pops: Top Of The Pops was instantly more girly. Take a look at this...
Top Of The Pops clearly is aimed at girls. With it's free nail set and pink colouring, it attracts girls almost instantly. I think the editor has made the target audience quite clear and has done very well in reeling them in.
Here is an example of a poster from the magazine.A male which young girls would class as 'fit' or 'hot'. This is great free gift for any teenage girl.
As you can see, the magazine does not just revolve around music, it has horoscopes (I'm Sagittarius) and even clothing items that are in the 'High street Hot list.' I may use these ideas in my music magazine.
Overview:Kerrangis a magazine that began in June 1981. Its audience is based around Rock fans and aimed towards the younger generation. Its clever name comes from the sound made when playing a power chord on an electric guitar- KERRANG and it became the best selling music newspaper in the early 2000s. Take a look at some of the images of the magazine front covers below:
Kerrang 1981
Kerrang 2012
Music:
The music within this magazine is very clear. The genre of the magazine is Rock.
Examples of artists that have been within this magazine include:
30 Seconds To Mars My Chemical Romance Paramore You Me At Six All Time Low Blink 182 LostProphets Green Day
These artists are very popular in the world of rock and automatically allow fans of this style of music to be drawn in. Below is some videos and images to show the genre of music and artists:
All Time Low
My Chemical Romance
Analysis
Photos:
The photos used within the magazine are very consistent. There is always a main image of a famous rock musician in the middle of the page with smaller images or writing below. This allows the main image to stand out and draw fans of this artist to instantly want the magazine. This is clever and a good way to focus on a main musician, without losing the image within the rest of the front cover.
Design/Layout:
The layout on this magazine is not too simple. It has a main image and smaller articles or images below. This creates the layout to be quite easy going and simple to read. It picks a focus and ensures that the magazine does not get too confusing.
Colour:
Kerrang, uses very dark colours. It uses red, black and grey. The colours used are very appropriate for the audience and musicians, as the genre is generally associated with sadness (black), deep thought (grey) or romance (red). The colours compliment the white Kerrang logo and allow the information and images to stand out against the colours. The colours are used well and are consistent throughout.
Writing:
The writing and font used in this magazine are rather bold and sketchy. The writing placement differs within each magazine and adds a sense of surprise. Also, the font is generally a bright colour in comparison to the dark background, allowing it to stand out and become important.
Overall:
Overall, I think that this magazine uses colour in the best way possible. I will take inspirations from this magazine to create my magazine.
Overview:Top Of The Popsis a magazine that began in February 1995, to compliment and complete the TV show 'Top Of The Pops'. Its main audience is young teenage girls who are interested in chart music, boys and celebrity gossip. Since its launch, it has become a hit with the younger generation, by reeling them in with free posters, ideas about make-up and clothing and interviews with stars of today's youth. Take a look at some of the images of the magazine front covers below:
Top Of The Pops 1995
Top Of The Pops 2012
Music:
The music within this magazine is very clear. The genre ranges from things like R'n'B, Pop, Rap and anything else that is popular within the charts.
Examples of artists that have been within this magazine include:
Taylor Swift
Justin Bieber
Cher Lloyd
Jessie J
One Direction
The Wanted
Avril Lavigne
Miley Cyrus
Katy Perry
These artists are very popular and are a good way to get people interested in the music magazine. Below is some videos and images to show the genre of music and artists.
Miley Cyrus
One Direction
Analysis
Photos:
The photos used within the magazine are always very similar. There is ALWAYS a main image of a celebrity in the middle of the page, surrounded by smaller articles, information and much more. The editors are very consistent with the layout of images, ensuring that the audience can identify the magazine at a glance. Also, the image in the middle is usually the celebrity that is getting the most popularity during that month. This means that it draws attention to the magazine. I think that the images used a very youth related and stand out to the younger generation.
Design/Layout:
The layout on this magazine at a glance seems quite crowded but when you take a closer look, you realise it is very simple to read and allows the eye to follow it nicely. Once again, the design features a celebrity in the middle with information around it. This gives the design a stand out point and allows the eyes to think that the magazine is packed due to the amount of things around the edges. The layout is is not over the top nor is it very simple. It creates a fun design to target the right audience.
Colour:
Top Of The Pops, uses very soft pastel colours. It ranges from purple, to blue, to red. These colours seem to be quite feminised, which is perfect for the audience (young girls.) The colours also stand out and compliment the image within the middle, allowing the main focus to be on the centre image. I think the colours are well used and allow the article to stand out.
Writing:
The writing and font used in this magazine are rather playful and bold. It does not seem serious or formal and it creates a welcoming feel to it. I think this is a great way to use writing and font to young girls who want to escape and enjoy a magazine, rather than be serious.
Overall:
Overall, I think that this magazine is a great way to see how colours, genres and designs can effect one another and the audience. I am definitely going to be using this magazine as an inspiration for the one I will eventually make.
Hello There! My name is Lizzie and I have a phobia of ladybirds...
Ok so maybe that has no relevance?
Anyway, this blog is all about my AS Media course, which is all about preparing to make a music magazine. Speaking of music, my music taste ranges throughout the genres. For example, I am a huge fan of Taylor Swift <3 BUT I also love30 Seconds to Mars. Both are very different artists. I respect people's music tastes and I can listen to almost anything! Music makes me happy!
Magazines I am considering to look at for inspiration, will be Kerrang, NME and TopOfThePops. This is to vary what I look at and to help me understand how different genres effect magazine styles.
Finally, I hope you enjoy my blog and keep up to date on my course. Thanks for reading.
