Content page analysis 2

Although its a content page, most music magazines include there name/logo on the page, however this issue of 'vibe' hasn't followed this convention. Instead they have included something a little more diverse yet still very effective. By incorporating just the first letter is a subtle way of including there personalized signature. It is interesting how they have used a darker shade of the background colour  in order to emphasize this, this again goes against the norms, despite this, the outcome still looks powerful. The typography of the masthead is divergent, it is unusual that they have broken up the words, most magazines would be reluctant to do this as it may cause confusion. It is grouped on the top right hand side of the page, this is to ensure its the first thing the reader see's when they open the magazine but it also directly tells them what page it is. The writing is big and bulky which draws attention to the it as it would be very hard to overlook. The prestige of the black is very distinctive as the majority of the page involves subtle colours.

The central image takes up a large percentage of the page and is very imposing. The image is in grey scale, which is interesting considering the background is also grey,The magazine has been very diverse in this sense. Its as if the celebrity is of so much importance that they stand out regardless of any other factors. Kanye's facial expression is extremely fierce, this may be because of his status, he is using direct mode of address, the outcome of this is very successful as it almost does make it appear that he is looking at you. He is smartly dressed, this is because he is renowned for his iconic style, but it also adds to the whole look of which is definitely formal and well established. There is a mysterious hand placed around his chest holding a heart, this has sexual connotations. The only bright colour included is the heart held in this hand, this could suggest that the magazine may delve into kanye's personal/love life. On a whole i do think this page has been effective as it looks very professional, although extremely different its still very powerful

The layout of the writing makes it very easy for the reader to detect and read. The information is clear and concise and only highlights key aspects of the information with minimal detail. Again the magazine have steered away from the usual norms, they have given the reader a small taster which is more than likely going to persuaded them to turn to the pages. I believe the magazine has done this as they are making it very clear they are not a gossip magazine and only project facts, it also shows they are  a well established and therefore highly respected company. The typography is of small font, although it isn't unnoticeable because the darkness of the black contrasts the dull grey which is the main colour.

content page analysis 1

The central image takes a prominent position; it fills up about two thirds of the page. It is clear that Beyoncé is one of their main features, the fact she will be the first person the reader sees when they open the magazine is a great way to lure them in. The models outfit is very outspoken, the dress almost looks metallic, which very unusual. The fact that her clothing is gold, connotes wealth and originality, this really puts emphasis on how prestige she is within the music industry is. The way that the flash of the camera reflects the dress draws and enormous amount of attention.  The colour of the dress not only compliments the colour of her hair, but her complexion to. This is effective in various ways, like the  fact that it completely contrasts the white background this alludes to it looking  a lot more classy and professional as there’s not to much diversity of colours. The way the model is posing is very complimentary for her figure, this is key as she is a desired women, therefore her assets should be obviously apparent. Beyoncé is using direct mode of address, this is very important as it builds a connection for a more personal inviting outcome.  Her facial expression is very open, this would instantly make the audience warm to her. The models big smile is very forceful, it makes her look a lot more approachable, so therefore the reader will be more inclined to read morel. Her happiness also presents her in an extremely positive light, this is not only good for the magazine, though her reputation to. 

The masthead has a big clear background, this is effective as it sections it of from the rest of the page. There are two diverse fonts for the different titles. Firstly the name of the magazine is repeated, this is significant as it makes it very obvious but also reminds the audience. By using the logo numerous times it will ingrain it into the readers head so then later on they will remember it, this could increase consumer rates. The typography is quite unique and modern, this coincides with the type of magazine it is, which is stylish and classy. the lettering is demi-bold, this looks especially good as its not to outspoken although it is still obvious. The colour red is used due to the other are black and white and therefore it adds a sense of vibrancy. Red alarming and emphasized although still classic. The spacing between the mastheads is very insignificant, this is because the completely different styles and colours divide it by themselves. The second masthead says 'content' this is of extreme relevance as it notify's the reader of what the page will involve. Although it does seem obvious, some people overlook the content page as if its not clear, they see a lack of writing and think its of no relevance. The typography is in black, this completely contradicts the other masthead but also the background. The lettering is grouped together in a tighter manner though the main reason for this is because it goes with the style which is more elegant. Curly writing is used in magazines a great amount as it looks attractive as its slightly more elegant. Beneath the masthead there is also the issue date, this is reiterated to ensure that people know if its the up to date copy or not. The typography is significantly smaller, this is due to the fact that its importance is smaller because people can usually tell by the front cover if they've read it before.

On the left side of the page there are page number will a small amount of detail of the content of the article. It is split into two sections by very visually obvious subheading. The subheadings are in a slightly larger more boisterous fonts, this is for easier accessibility so the reader can quickly scan the page and find the articles they are going to read first. Firstly the subtitle 'On the cover' this will be the main articles, the articles which could of drawn the consumer in in the first place. This will usually be the most popular therefore it was put at the top so the readers eye meets it first. There is no writing beneath the name as its very obvious what the content will be about anyway.  The second subtitle is 'features' this gives an insight into the other articles. This is displayed out slightly different s the names of the articles are highlighted in red, this links back to the colour of title of the magazine, by reinforcing the colour looks very effective as it makes the writing easier to read.  due to the multiple meaning the story titles could entail,t here is a small paragraph beneath each title, this is important. The writing usually uses flash words to excite the audience and make them want to read on. The page number are slightly larger and a lot more bold, this is because it makes it a lot clearer to read and consumers can find there page instantaneously. The main article number is extremely bigger as it ties in with the central image, it entails a lot more detail, this shows that it is the most important article and therefore they want the readers eyes to be averted to it instantly

There is clear colour scheme; black, white and red. This is definitely a norm within the magazine industry, especially within well established company's. The outcome is very slick, it definitely suggests the formality of the magazine due to the colours being very complimentary and well matched. Although red is a bright colour, the shade used on this content page is slightly darker which alludes to it being more glamorous. The white background is very efficient in allowing the typography stand out. By using a contrasting colour such as black is essential as it conflicts and as a result is very dominant, this is why most of the writing is in a darker tone.

Content page moodboard

I have made this mood board in order to make it easier for me to identify features in which i want to incorporate. This has helped me visually understand what looks good and what doesn't look so good. I have come to the conclusion that a variety of images make it alot more satisfying but also clear and concise writing makes it easier to extract information. I particularly like the contents pages which involve dark colours, i find they are more eye catching and they coincide with my theme nicely. 

image 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13

Font Moodboard

I have experimented with a range of different fonts, this makes it easier for me to come to he conclusion to what one i want to include. By exploring a variety of different typography's helps me think more deeply into what i believe will look better and be more effective with my theme. By placing them all together gives me insight and helps me depict which ones aren't so good and which ones stand out as i don't want to come to a rushed decision as this may sacrifice the quality and professionalism of my final cover. 

The colour of my mast head is undeniably going to be black, i have decided this as it will look very outspoken, therefore there is no need for me to over exaggerate with an elaborate colour. In a way i think black looks more dramatic and no matter what background colour my magazine involves, it will always stand out. Black is Incorporated a lot in the mastheads of rock magazines, so therefore i will be following that convention as i believe i can achiever originality in other aspects of my cover, 

The style of my masthead is going to be very Gothic. I like how in the fonts i have selected there is a definite theme of outrage and expression. I am definitely not going to follow the norm of a understated font, this is because the masthead is one of the key features and the first thing the consumer sees so i want it to be very noticeable and diverse to others. I have experimented with different types of font such as; old school, distorted, eroded and horror. The old school typography is more ordinary than the others, although it is clearer, i don't think i will select one for my final piece. My favorites are definitely eroded and distorted, this is because they are unusual and adventurous. I especially like the ones with black shading around, this will really separate it from the other features of the cover and will allude to a lot of attention being focused on it which is one of my main objectives. 

Front Cover analysis; ROCK

The masthead is very self-explanatory. By stating the genre in the title leaves no confusion to the audience of what the magazine entails and who it’s targeted for. The writing is huge and takes a dominant role on the cover, the bolshie writing coin sides with the theme well as it is far from understated. I like how there is a figure of someone playing a guitar as it makes it quite quirky but also more appealing to the eye. The white makes it very eye grabbing due to the fact that the background is predominantly black and different shades of grey.

The cover lines are extremely different to what is usually the format on magazines. There’s are non on either side, however they are placed at the bottom center. An interesting aspects of this magazine is all the cove lines link to the band ‘ACDC’. The most important writing is written in red, this is to make sure anyone who picks up the magazines eyes will be averted to them. However the main cover line is directly in the middle, the typography is unmissable and makes a huge statement on the page. I believe this cover line is there to support the image and by inserting the bands symbol adds a sense of identity.

The central image is definitely the main focal point of the cover. It fills up the whole of the page and due to the cover being bare it is definitely takes a leading role. The picture is of a band named ‘ACDC’ they are extremely famous in the world of rock, this is not only great and catching peoples attention but will also result into more copy’s being sold because of their huge fan base. I like how the image is in black and white, it adds to the whole atmosphere, and due to the fact there living legends, its highlights there prestige. Every one of the band member is using direct mode of address, which is a norm. I like the contrasting facial expressions I think they add a lot of personality and allude to it appearing more interesting to look at.

There is a very obvious colour scheme apparent, and it definitely follows the three colour principle. The colours complement each other greatly. I like how much the red stands out from the black and white, it gives the cover more personality but it also makes the most important words stand out.

There are a few other features used such a header. The header is there to advertise the content of the magazine. As the top of the magazine will be one of the first things the audience see whilst it is on a shelf, it is important to make it remarkable. The words ‘4 free gifts’ is in a different colour to the rest of the magazine which make it clearly detectable. The simple lists entails so much and involves some huge selling points such as freebies. 

Front Cover analysis; CLASSICAL

The masthead instantly notifies the audience and potential audience that the magazine is about classical music. The typography is large and is in a fancy font, the elegance of the writing relates to the genre well as it adds a touch of class. White is used as it’s a bright refreshing colour this looks good and results to crisp finish. The writing is well positioned and follows the norm of being at the top centre, this is because it will be the first things the reader sees when they pick up the magazine.

The majority of the cover lines are discreet in comparison to other magazines, nether the less they do still stand out. They are written in capital letters which makes them more easily noticeable but also emphasises the importance. The more significant words are also highlighted in blue, by differentiating them from the rest is a really good technique as readers immediately are drawn to them. Although the white cover lines are smaller, due to the fact they are in white and contrast the background colour, they still stand out. There is also a more dominant cover line, it is in italic font, this makes it sand out from the rest. This is clearly a key feature of the magazine and coincides with the central image.

The central image is simplistic, I believe this was the key them of the cover as a whole. It is a long shot which incorporates slight background. The brick wall has been used as the neutral tones result in the writing standing out. The model is smartly dressed, this could show the formalness of the magazine. The model is not using direct mode of address which is unusual, however this could have been done to set a relaxed atmosphere which is what classical music does. There are no bright alarming colours used within the pictures which add to the professional look, the white shirt goes with the white typography, this is very effective.

The three colour principle has been used. The colours used are very tranquil and subtle this shows that the audience could be more reserved and prefer a calmer look. Although there are some other colours used as well, they are very discreet and are used as a canvas.

There are also a range of other features inserted onto the cover. For example there is a header, the header is highlighted in red, and this is extremely noticeable on this cover due to the fact that the other tones are very quiet. The header has used a great selling point which is giving a slight insight into what’s inside the magazine followed by the page number. The information is used to reel the reader in and make them want to buy the magazine. Below this, there is more writing, which gives more formal information such as the issue date, this is key so that the audience know they are consuming an up to date copy.  The barcode is on the bottom right hand corner, the audience will not pay attention to this. The barcode also has the price on it, it is here so the audience will pay more attention to the graphical features and not how much it is. There is also a link to the website bellow this is to give the reader another way to find out more information not only about the magazine but classical music in general

Front cover analysis; POP

The Masthead doesn't follow the usual norms of a magazine cover, by placing the title in top left diversifies it. The format is also unusual for the masthead to have strap lines around it, this not only provides a slight insight but it also invites the reader in. The colours are fresh and vibrant and have female connotations; this is suitable for the target audience of who are teenage girls.  The way that the title is in a speech box and looks as if it is coming from Taylor swifts mouth shows the informal tone of which is trying to be projected. The colours used also complement each other and elude the words standing out more. The use of a heart instead of the word ‘heart’ not only simplifies the title to make it short snappy and easily detectable but also result in it being more pleasing to the eye.

The central image is of the teen sensation ‘Justin Bieber’ this instantly will attract a lot more people to consume the magazine due to the fact he is a worldwide heart throb to a large percentage of girls. Using an extremely famous celebrity is a great selling point for a magazine, as fans will inevitably want to buy the magazine. Bieber is placed on the center of the cover and is using direct mode of address; this is very effective as it builds a connection between him and the audience. The model is also smiling which creates a good impression and makes it appear welcoming. The image is close up so that his facial features are very defined which is what the audience want to see. The models clothes stand out from the rest of the cover, by using grey and black contrasts the liveliness of the predominant colours.

The cover lines completely contradict the usual conventions. First the majority of them are not very dominant on the page, this could be because the pictures which are there to speak for the cover lines. The vast use of images appear to make the magazine look more appealing, especially to the target audience. Due to the fact the intended readers are young; they may not want to read a lot of context however looking at pictures is more suitable for them. The pictures are of influential people of this generation and therefore will incise them to pick up the magazine and buy it. The name of each celebrity/band is highlighted with a colour of the colour scheme, although the rest of the cover line isn’t, this suggest that the actual content of them are of little importance. One very unusual cover line is right in the middle of the page, going over the central image; the writing is bigger than the actual masthead. I believe this has been done as it shows the significance of that strap line, and it’s obviously a massive selling point. The font of this cover line is extremely large and massively bold, opposed to the majority of the others of which are small, clear however basic.

There is a clear colour scheme throughout the cover. Pink, blue and black.  The shades of Pink and blue are both very bold, together they bounce of each other and are very attention seeking. The colours stand out a lot which is a key aspect for a magazine of this genre; they create a fun, vibrant atmosphere. The colours surprisingly connotation both genders, although I don’t think this has been done intentionally but just for effect.

There are various graphic features inserted onto the cover. Examples of this is the strip of pictures of celebrity’s with an arrow pointing towards them stating ’10 posters’ this doesn’t only make the cover look more intriguing, but it’s also a freebie. Freebies are a remarkable selling point, they make the reader believe there getting something out of buying the magazine. Posters are especially good for teenagers as they can use them to decorate their rooms or even collect them.  A barcode has also been used; this is a norm and shows professionalism.

Front Cover moodboard

From my format research, i have been inspired to go with the genre 'Indie Rock'. There are many reasons why i went with this idea, firstly, I believe i will be able to produce a magazine due to the fact i have a great knowledge and interest in this genre. I also think that 'indie rock' will give me and opportunity to be diverse and edgy regarding not only the central image but the whole vibe of the cover. Indie rock doesn't usually follow the norms of society and i hope to reflect this on my cover by delivering my work slightly alternatively.

The common theme for mastheads for this particular genre are big, bold and alarming, they are outspoken and take huge dominance on the page. I assume that the fonts are like this due to the fact that indie rock is about making a statement, these mastheads definitely do this.

The central images include very popular bands/artists of this genre, this is striking as it will invite fans to buy the magazine. A theme which is consistent is a sense of wildness, a lot of the images are attention seeking in the way that the model is either posing or doing something of an odd manner. Another thing i noticed is that a lot of the pictures are in black and white, i think this is hugely beneficial for a few particular reasons, it allows the other typography stand out but it also looks professional and classic, but also black is a significant color of this genre.

The cover lines are intriguing to the target audience they reveal snippets of information about the content of the magazines which fans will be fond of. Examples of this are; tour dates, latest music, reviews and interviews. The typography is usually clear and differentiated and in a clear though slightly Gothic font. In comparison to other types of magazines, the cover lines font play as much of a leading role, i think this is because the images do a lot of the speaking.

Indie rock magazines have a huge amount of selling points, these include; free posters, free magazines, exclusive interviews, quiz etc. This is very key to the music industry as it doesn't just increase the popularity of a magazine but it also helps promote new music and build bigger fan bases for particular artists/bans, its a great form of advertisement.

The majority of magazines that's i have researched do display an obvious colour scheme. Black and white are generally the base colours. Other colours included tend to be very striking, red is used a lot, this is because its bright and has connotations of such things like danger.

Questionaire

My final magazine cover evaluation!

This is the final copy of our school magazine cover.  From my research analysis of magazine covers it enabled me to identify features in which I thought would be effective to include. I have made slight altercations from our original mock up. I had to re-position our cover lines in order to fit around the central image although I think the outcome of the new layout is more effective.

Firstly I have used a header, although not all school magazines include one, I believed it would add to create a more professional look. My intentions of incorporating bold typography and a catchy phrase, are to grab my audience’s attention. I used a dark color as the background with white writing, this makes it more distinctive and sets it apart from the rest of the cover.   By implying that this magazine will be a key to success makes it more inviting for a student as they’ll feel as if they will be benefiting from buying it. I also involved a link to the school website as this will provide the reader with more information and opportunity’s the school present. The issue date is a necessity to any magazine cover, I thought it was crucial to include it so the reader knows how up to date the information is but it also states how frequent the magazine is published. I thought that making the price obvious was specifically important to our audience (students) as they don’t have as much money, which is one of the main reasons we made the price very reasonable.  To improve the header I think the writing could be moved down, as the tops of some of the writing has been cut off.  We could have also enhanced the color to make it more vibrant and out there.

I went with the norm and included a masthead, this is used to give the magazine an identity. By placing in it in the top center will hopefully engage the audience to read it first as generally as a viewer you tend to read from top to bottom. I think the title of the magazine is unique, the diversity is intriguing and sets it aside from the ‘normal’ magazine cover. Its named ‘eye of the Misbourne’ I think it’s catchy and by using a picture of an eye opposed to the word makes It more visually appealing. It also connotes a real eye as if the magazine gives a real life insight into the Misbourne and delves deep into the latest news and gossip. The font size is about 60 which I think is a good size as it just about fills the width of the page but also will be clear to the reader even at some distance. The writing is large and easy to read, we decided to use this simple font as I noticed that when the font is to fancy it can allude to confusion. The colors are black and white as I wanted to make it look formal, this is because I wanted to represent the school as professional as I could.

For the central image I decided to use a smartly dressed 6th form student, this shines a positive light on the school. The model is smiling which creates a warm friendly feel, she is using a direct mode of address to create a personal interaction with the audience, and this could help encourage people to buy the magazine. Another reason for using a 6th form student is that it widens the target audience due to the fact that younger students tend to look up to 6th former's and see them as role models. I  have used a low angle long shot as it symbolizes how the Misbourne specializes in high standards and success. Although I do like this shot, I do believe there are some criticism of which we have noticed and will improve next time. Firstly the main focus point is not clear enough and some could say that the stairs take away some attention from the model, as she is not at the center of the cover. Focusing on smaller details, if I were to take this image again, I would make sure the bin isn't included as this contradicts the formality and the message we are trying to get across.

I have tried to make our cover lines appeal to all. “3 easy ways to get A’s” this will attract students as it suggests that the magazine can help them achieve and help them get through their school life. By using a list not only breaks up the writing so it’s easier to read but it also shows that the magazine is packed full of information. For those who may not need this advice or it doesn't apply to such as younger students I have also mentioned fashion. Every child wants to fit into their school and to know they can receive advice on how to, is a good selling point. By saying ‘look inside for....’ invites the reader in but also creates spontaneity, this could intrigue the reader and make them purchase the magazine. I used the same typography throughout the cover lines to make it look tidier, there also white so they fit in with the background and the masthead. I could improve this by making them red and blue to fit in with the school colors this will help it to look like it belongs to the school. I attempted to add sell lines such as ‘prizes to be won’. However this did not work as well as I intended it to, despite this the content could attract the audience as they would be interested in winning a prize. However Due to our lack of skill on in design it has resulted in looking very amateur and plain, it definitely won’t grab the reader’s attention as much as we hoped to. To improve this I believe I should practice more techniques on the computer in order to make it look more professional and exiting.

I have followed the 3 color principle, which involved black, white and blue. I used black and white as they fit in with background image and they were easier to detect than other colors. I have included blue in the central image as it is a significant color which relates to the school. I do think the colors go well together and do look quite formal, though in contrary to this, they could appear to be quite boring. Next time I think I will be a little more adventurous, I could achieve this in various ways, such as using different shades of blue or even not sticking to the 3 color principle as it can be quite restricting. By improving this, it would excite my audience as they will be more attracted by brighter more vibrant colors.

Overall I don’t believe I have achieved as much as I wanted to. I believe the outcome is very amateur and looks very unimaginative. I think I focused too much on creating a professional looking magazine cover, and not being as adventurous as i could of been. Taking this into consideration, I believe I need to think outside of the box a little bit more in order to create a cover with a good balance of excitement yet formality. 

Image 15

This is the image we intent to use. I believe this is out most successful image as the steps really draw attention and lead the readers eyes to the model, this will look really effective on the magazine cover as its inviting and intriguing.

Image 14

I think this image is effective as it shows a cultural side to the school. By incorporating students art work it shows the parents the high standards the the school set and how they're achieved. Although this specific piece of art does look like its slightly deteriorating and a little knackered so this may not be effective in this sense. The model is looking smart and happy which is essential. However the photography isn't of a high standard as half her body is cut of. To improve this image i would take the picture from a longer shot and maybe from a higher angle to increase the detail.