Weekly Update 3

From analysing two features articles, I have decided that in my features article, I will include:

• A page number at the bottom right hand side of at least one page with the magazine title next to it
• A big bold heading at the top of the page
• An introduction underneath the main heading
• Columns 
• 2/3rds of the two pages taken up by a main image
• Shapes
• Connections to the front cover and/or contents page
• Quotations

I will also include a separate text box with separate text, to appeal to the reader.

From analysing two magazines, I depicted the main conventions of a rock magazine. This is good because I can either choose to follow or challenge these conventions.

I created a brainstorm to generate ideas for my magazine. E.g. I looked at mise-en-scene, typography, images, genre, colour scheme, magazine names etc. This has helped me to get a basic idea of what my magazine will look like and which aspects I am to include. 

I analysed the colours used in order to decide on a colour scheme for my magazine. My colour scheme will include black, red and white, and may also include blue and yellow.

I used images to represent who my target audience are. This is good because I am able to visualise who they are, and I can bare this in mind whilst creating my magazine.

Target Audience

My magazine will be aimed at males and females aged 16 - 25 who are interested in rock music.

Below are some images of the type of people I hope to attract with my magazine:

Colour Representation

In rock music magazines, the predominant colours are:

• Black
• White 
• Red
• Yellow
• Baby Blue 

All of the above are used for a specific reason...

Black and white are used because they are easy to read. They can also be a symbolism of death and danger, i.e.

Red can also be used to symbolise danger and violence. It is the colour of blood and is often associated with anger. There are many real life signs and symbols which use the colour red - 

Yellow is also used in various signs, and usually used to warn people of hazardous conditions or danger. Here are some examples - notice that in some cases, red and yellow is used together -

Rock is usually represented by very masculine men, hence the use of the colour blue. (However in the case of NME, baby blue is more feminine to attract females)...

Brain Storm

Magazine Name Ideas

Conventions of Rock Magazines

I am going to follow these conventions as well as possible.

Features Articles Analysis - Kerrang!

Like the NME article, this features article also has the accent colour of blue. It has shapes with a crackly, blue fill as does the front cover.
Like NME, the image takes up most of of the two page spread. The image is black and white. The man has his arms crossed with a serious expression on his face. He is at an angle with his face facing the camera. This expression and position conveys a person who is serious about something, i.e. he is going to 'carry on until he drops'.
The heading 'I'M GONNA CARRY ON TILL I DROP!" is a mixture of different sized text to accentuate the words 'carry on' and 'drop' - as these are the most important words. As well as different sizes, different colours (blue and black) are also used to distinguish between the importance of the words.
A blue text box, at an angle, has been placed over the image with the text "MUSIC'S MY DRUG NOW". This quote has been picked out specifically because it is shocking and could be seen as quite obscure. This grabs the reader's interest, and so they want to read the article.
Under the main heading there is an introduction to the article which uses different typography. The font is like a typewriter, very basic and not elegant at all - rock music is not elegant.
Amongst the two columns of text is another text box with two black headings, "THE HIGHLIGHT" and "THE LOWLIGHT". This offers extra information for the reader to read quickly without having to read the whole article.
At the bottom right of the page is the magazine name followed by a page number.  The colour behind this is black and the typography is white in order to stand out and follow the colour scheme.

Features Articles Analysis - NME

 The majority of the double page spread is taken up by an image of the featured band. The image is taken in a park or outdoor area, with the band members placed around an old car. Cars are not usually found in parks, so a rebellious vibe is created. The band are also propped up against and sitting on the car which makes them look 'cool'.
The double page spread has an accent colour of blue, which connects it nicely to the front cover. Blue shapes are randomly placed around the pages, with text layered over them. The random position of the shapes create an unstructured, random layout which coincides with the nature of rock music.
There is text written over the image in blue and white. The font is similar to somebody's handwriting, as if someone has written over the picture -  a bit like graffiti, which is rebellious like rock music is. This text is quotes from the article - the difference in colour is used to differentiate between question and answer.
The text is in columns like a newspaper, this is how the contents page is too.
There is a symbol at the top right of the page which is on every page in the magazine. It says 'RADAR ISSUE', and is made up of smaller versions of the shapes splayed across the pages. This is a theme throughout the magazine.
Page numbers at the bottom right hand side of the page have the magazine title next to them.
The title font is bold and large, followed by a smaller introduction to the article, and then the article itself.

Weekly Update 2

This week by analysing two magazine front covers, I learnt what I should include in my front cover for my rock magazine:

• Harsh colour scheme (preferably red, black and white)
• A selling line at the top of the page
• A simple, yet interesting main image - maybe drained of colour slightly
• A consistent bold font throughout
• Capitalised font throughout
• At least one or two other images (apart from the main image) to advertise what is inside
• At least three cover lines (not including the main cover line)
• A male band or artist on the cover
• Slanted angles to add interest
• A clear bar code

By analysing two magazine contents pages, I learnt what I should include in my contents page for my rock magazine:

• Colour scheme following on from the front cover
• Columns
• Page numbers
• Large heading
• Subscription advertisement with images of previous issues
• All capital letters
• Quotations from articles

I am also going to include:

• Letter from the editor
• Different sections/headings for a clearer layout

Contents Page Analysis - Kerrang!

The contents page's colour scheme does not entirely match the front cover. This time, an accent colour of yellow is used as well as red, over the black and white. Yellow and black is a symbolism of danger - in the real world there are lots of signs and products which are yellow and black (see 'Colour Representation').
Half of the contents page is made up of a black and white image of a famous rock star. He is wearing a plain black leather jacket and has black hair. The background is also black. This works easily with the colour scheme, and also creates a typical rock genre feel. He is off-centre, towards the right of the image, and text and other images have been layered over the plain black part on the left.
The title 'CONTENTS' is fairly large, bold and yellow. Again the font is crackly, like the on the front cover. Under this is the issue number and date, clearly marked out. The white box surrounding this separates it from the rest of the page.
Under this, again like on the front cover, are images of posters with white borders. Next to these are also the page number and a similar symbol marking the fact that it is a cover story. There is also a grey sign with the cover line on it, in between the posters. The text is almost as large as the word 'contents' to show importance and catch the reader's eye. A spider has been layered onto the sign also, this is another symbolism of danger and death - many people are frightened of spiders.

The second half of the contents page is filled with cover lines and page numbers. The black strip has the masthead layered over it followed by 'THIS WEEK' in a yellow crackled font. This acts a title and helps o seperate the two halves of the page.
On the left at the bottom is a message from the editor who introduces the issue and comments on the main features article.
The contents are organised into three columns and are numbered by red characters, the same size and font as the text next to them. There are various headings which are the same crackly yellow font, over a black rectangle. They are as follows:

• Feedback
• News
• Win!
• Live Reviews
• Features
• Album Reviews
• Gig Guide
• The K! Quiz

Under each heading are lists of articles. Under the article name there is generally a very brief explanation as to what the article is about. Again, this is mostly black text over a plain white background.
Next to some of the article names there is a symbol which consists of a red circle under a black star and white text which says 'COVER STORY'. This helps the reader to go straight to a particular page if they were interested in something on the front cover.
On the right is a black text box which almost looks like a blackboard. There is blue shape over it, similar to the shape in the top half of the page, used for the title of this section. This could have been done like the rest of the contents page, however the black text box creates a more interesting layout, which isn't so structured and boring - rock music does not follow a strict set of rules.
On the right hand corner are images of three Kerrang! front covers and a half red, half black shape, promoting a discount on deliveries.