Double Page Spread - NME

This double page spread by NME involves an unconventional colour scheme, it still consists on the three colour scheme however there are aspects in the image which break this. The colour scheme is used creatively by highlighting key information for the reader in blue, This is so it stands out in contrast to other text. The title “the vaccines” is in block capitals and has a significantally bigger font compared to the other texts, this is so the people reading know the artists immediately when opening the page.

Conventional columns have been used to give it that magazine feel. To take up more room in the text they have used a pull quote in a significantly bigger font, using the colour blue linking in with the colour scheme which looks proffesional. This allows us to get an interperate of the interveiw for people that briefly read through. Kickers have also been used to add to the magazine feel, these letters which start the beginning of each sentence have been coloured in blue, this links again with the colour scheme allowing the magazine to keep a professional look.

The image which is portrayed in the magazine takes up around 2/3 of both pages, this is a large image which draws a lot of attention to the reader. The image includes the four band members of the vaccines which are all breaking the fourth wall by looking into the camera, this can make the reader feel like they are more involved in the magazine which is a useful affect. The image used is also very interesting, this is because the band members arent just stood in a line, they are in specific positions, this could allow the audience to note the importance of each member, for example Justin Young  is positioned at the front which draws more interest to him. All of their facial expressions are serious which links well with the type of music they produce. Along with this the background is quite dirty, like old paper which can be seen to foreshadow their type of music. The vaccines are in simplistic clothing which doesn’t reveal any branding names, the rolled up shirt of Justin can show their kind of style well, so can other clothing items seen in the background.

The overall layout of the magazine is pretty conventional for NME with a main image taking up two thirds of the page. I like this kind of design because I find it interesting, it allows close detail and depth in the image and enough zoom for a valid amount of text.

Double Page Spread Analysis - NME

NME have gone for an unconventional look in this specific double page spread, instead of using the standard colour palettes consisting of black red and white they have gone for an overall darker look, including colours purple and black, this suggests the personality of the band, as their new album has been “death obsessed” and they are a “dark-hearted trio”.

The overall look of the double page spread is a layout that we come across a lot; this consists of a big image taking up usually half, or more of the page. The image in this specific double page spread takes up around 2/3 of the page, it is a long shot of the White Lies, the lightening used in the photo makes the image look dark and dull, it doesn’t reveal anything intriguing about the band. However this allows the page to have a more simplistic look which is very affective. In the image the audience can notice that a lot of their body is hidden in shadows to suggest that there could be something that they don’t know about this band. Along with this the lightening can suggest that although they are hidden, they want to be in the spotlight and they want to be a big, powerful well-known band.

The font used in this magazine is very simplistic and easy to read, this is good because it avoids confusion for the reader. We are instantly exposed to a huge title which is taking up around 1/3 of the left hand page; it is known as a pull quote from a previous interview saying “we want kings of leon’s career”. The font is very clear and bold and it is underlined to emphasise the importance of it.  The pull quote is very optimistic and can be seen as arrogant considering the success of Kings of Leon’s.  The type up at the bottom is in New Times Roman, this is just a standard conventional font. In the text main words are also in purple instead of the black, this goes with the colour scheme and allows more focus on specific words like ‘White Lies’ and makes it look professional. The layout of the font is a lot neat and professional; they have used the conventional columns and have used a little sub paragraph, which looks neat. 

Contents Analysis - Kerrang

The kerrang contents page consists of their conventional colour scheme black yellow and white. Readers of the magazine will be used to this colour scheme therefore information that they want to stand out more significantly can be used in a different colour, for example the subscription of the magazine is advertised behind a red box in the corner to grab attention.

I like the use of the image which takes up roughly half of the page, this adds more interest to the page, rather than it just simply stating what will be inside. The iconic kerrang logo is used on the page a couple of times, this is just a use of repeating the name so it gets into peoples heads more, and they are consistently being reminded of the name.

Contents is written in the top left corner of the page in yellow behind a black fill. This allows the title to stand out clearly so the reader knows what page they are on.  A unique feature of the page is this how the contents page shows a small image of a double page spread and indicates what page it is on. This makes the contents page more filling and adds more interest yet again. Kerrang don’t go for a conventional simplistic look, they have more of a messy look that compliments the type of music the magazine is based on. Sub headings for each section are written in yellow block font clearly behind a black fill, this looks professional because it is easy to see what will be involved under each heading.

Kerrang use a lot of images on their contents page, this is to give a more sophisticated look. The main image is a man crowd surfing; this interesting image can show passion for the music which is what the readers will enjoy seeing. The overall use of fonts is good because they are all clear to read, there isn’t any writing which you struggle to read which makes it more comfortable for the reader, this is something I can think about when designing my magazine.

Contents Analysis - NME

This contents page is a lot more filling compared to the Vibe contents page. There is information about all of the pages inside the magazine everywhere; this allows the audience to find and look at everything specifically, which is better than having to go through every page. A main contents headline is positioned under the main image which clear bold black font saying ‘artic monkeys’ this instantly allows the reader to see the band, which compliments the photo.

The page is titled NME contents, this consists of the conventional NME logo and contents written in clear block font, it is very easy to read which is affective.  All of the feature titles on the page are in white block capitals behind a black fill, this makes the font stand out a lot more which allows the audience to notice each section more comfortably.

NME use the same black red and white colour scheme. This scheme matches the logo, which allows the magazine to bring across a more professional look. However they break their colour code with the use of a box at the bottom of the page. The colour scheme for this box includes yellow font on a black fill, the yellow will instantly catch the audience’s eye because it’s the only colour difference. They are advertising a subscription for the magazine; this is affective because it is eye catching.

The image the contents page uses is quite conventional for NME because the majority of their contents pages use a medium sized image in the centre of the page. Writing is positioned around the photo, which allows more focus on the image itself. All of the page numbers are printed in red font, this sticks with the colour scheme and allows it to stand out next to the titles; this is so the reader instantly knows where to look for their page. The date is positioned under contents, which stands out clear on the black fill behind it.

Contents Analysis - VIBE

This is a contents page for music magazine vibe. The contents page consists of main colours black and white. These are conventional colours which are used time and time again as a basic colour scheme.

The main content list is on the right of the image with seems quite conventional for a lot of vibe contents pages I have seen, this is something I can take into account when designing mine. The contents list consists of two head cover lines features and fashion. They are bold which allows the audience to easily see what is involved in each section clearer. They have seemed to take a risk with a font which can be seen as difficult because of some of the letters, however this is conventional for vibe and the overall look of the font is interesting and compliments the image used.

The main image used on the contents page is very effective and significant. Firstly the long shot of the woman laying flat allows the audience to see her whole body language. Vibe have used different coloured shoes on the woman significantly so they stand of compared to the basic black and white scheme, this is because this allows the audience to see the position her legs are in, which symbolise a V shape for Vibe. To compliment this there is also an outlined V which is put behind her legs, this allows the audience to interoperate the letters more which will make them think of vibe, this allows people to remember the magazine name more for when they see the logo.

Contents is written in clear block writing which is which in contrast to the darker background which allows it to be more eye grabbing. It isn’t written on one line, it takes over three lines in a big font, this still allows it to be read clearly. The use of the dots which separate each bit of information is an important feature which allows the audience not to get mixed up with different pages .A negative of the page is that it doesn’t indicate everything in the magazine and what page it is, this is what contents pages are supposed to do to create a clear interoperate for the reader.

Cover Analysis - GQ

Even though this magazine isnt a music magazine i decided to do an analysis on it because i liked the style and feel of it.

The mast head is a very iconic magazine title GQ, the fact that the main photo is highly positioned over the logo adds emphasis to the size of the magazine, people still know the logo even with half of it missing, the unique conventional blue and red master head fits the whole colour scheme of the cover, including other binary opposite colours black and white. The cover can instantly be seen to be targeted at men due to the shot of Beyoncé on the front. She is only wearing a little blue crop top and small red pants, which go with the logo of GQ.  This image instantly grabs the attention of any male looking at the magazine rack because Beyoncé is such an iconic figure in the music industry, and she is very good looking. Because so much of her body is revealing this can make some of the audience believe there will be better photos inside the magazine and lure them into buying it. The sexual pose of Beyoncé instantly enters the male gaze and the fact she has limited clothes of and her figure is basically fully showing adds emphasis to this. The image is a very successful technique to luring people in.

The shot seems to be a low angle shot, as if she is looking down on the audience, this can suggest that because of her looks she can be over powering to the man which makes them want to buy the issue. This is something useful to think about.

The simplistic white background allows the main image to stand out significantly, which draws a lot of attention to the cover. The unique colour scheme is used in the cover lines to emphasis and show significance on certain names. For example this is down with Beyoncé, Kate Upton, Megan Fox and Mila Kunis. This affect catches the target audience’s eye a lot better because the colour will allow it to stand out from the rest of the text.

The use of fonts on the cover are good, the use of rhetorical questions on the front page can easily persuade the customer to buy it to see what really happened. The font used for the cover lines is bold and sharp, which compliments the sharp pixel image of Beyoncé. In the top left corner there is a cover line that starts with gentleman, this instantly suggests the target audience of the magazine, which compliments the photo used because both of them can lure a gentleman into purchasing this edition.