Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions are the styles of a magazine or indeed any other media product that make it definable. The four main focuses of a front cover that are conventional are the style of image, text, colour and layout. NME is an indie/pop magazine aimed at young adults. The magazine has several codes and conventions.

One convention of NME is to have the masthead in the same position every single issue. The masthead occupies the top left hand corner of the front cover in bold writing and vibrant colour (red). This identifies the magazine and is a necessity for every issue.

Another convention that is usually followed by the distributors IPC Media is that the front cover usually contains a lot of text and one large, dominant image. This convention is generally followed by most music magazines. This is because the front cover is the part of the magazine that attracts the consumers. Therefore, it is important for the magazine to get as much information onto the front as possible so that it makes the consumer want to look inside.

Lastly, the colours used on the front of NME can differ. However, generally there is red and white. This is because white is a neutral colour and red stands out on the white background. Also, it is the colours used in the logo.

Looking at the codes and conventions of NME has provided me with some inspiration for my own magazine.

Double Page Spread Analysis

The double page spread is taken from metal magazine Rock Sound. The band featured in the article is British metal core band ‘Bring Me the Horizon’. They are currently signed to Visible Noise Records in the UK, Epitaph Records in the US and Shock Records in Australia; the very fact that the band is big worldwide shows that the magazine has to aim its article at a broad target market. However, metal core is a nice market and fans are usually dedicated and avid followers. The normal metal core fan is between the age of 10 and 30; this is because although metal core has become more popular in recent years, the origins can really only be traced back 30 years or so. In the past, metal core fans were predominantly male. However, in recent years females have embraced the culture. The most stereotypical mannerism of a metal core fan is their hatred for convention and conformity.

The language used in the double page spread is dark, yet revealing. Similarly to the lyrics and music that Bring Me the Horizon creates, there are references to the supernatural “facing up to the demons”. However, what is a complete contrast to their musical style is the revealing attitude that the language and overall article itself creates, “I look back at the person I was and shake my head.” The magazine generally doesn’t hold back on the dark imagery. This is expected because metalheads generally do not hide their opinions or are afraid to use frank language. Moreover, the metal core genre of music is associated with the gothic culture; perhaps one of the reasons for the dark language.

Continuing the dark theme, the colours used on the double page spread are dark and simplistic. The background colour, black, is dominant. Once more, black is a colour that is very much associated with the gothic culture. The dominant black is broken up by two colours; red and black. The red is used in streaks; which could connote blood and suffering. However, the use of the colour white contrasts to both the other colours. White traditionally symbolises hope. Therefore, I feel that colour is used very effectively because it sums up the article itself. The article is about the dark times suffered and the road to greatness that the band is now on. The style of text used also adds to the dark and unforgiving feel of the article itself. The typeface used is sans-serif; which is again has historically been linked to the gothic. This is because the typeface is simple and forthright; this gives off that dark feel.

The double page spread is dominated by one image of the bands front man Oli Sykes; his image takes up half the double page spread. It suggests that he is the main focus of the article. The next thing you notice when you initially look at the double page spread is the bands title. This is done to entice people in to reading the article. Bring Me the Horizon is a huge band at the moment on the metal core scene. This means by putting the bands name at the focus point of the double page spread people who are flicking through are more likely to look in detail at the actual article. The actual article text takes up very little space. It takes just a small proportion of the overall spread.

The kind of tone that the magazine uses when addressing its audience is similar to addressing a friend. I get this feeling from the revealing language used and natural photograph used. The detail which you get out of the article is the kind of detail you would expect to get off a friend. Oli Sykes is revealing a lot about his life and being completely open. This tells me a lot about metal core fans and their bond with the bands they follow. Metal bands seem to have a much closer relationship with their fans than bands from other genres.

The main image on the double page spread is of the bands front man. Dedicated fans would know that Oli Sykes has had a troubled past and the road to his success hasn’t been easy. The shot is low angle, this may connote Sykes’ road to success; always looking to the future and standing up no matter what happens. Fans admire this about him and see him as an inspiration. The magazine has noted this; therefore, it is acceptable and expected that the low angle shot could be used. However, Sykes is not looking at down the lens of the camera. This could connote that he finds it difficult to talk about his past.

The double page spread shares some of its characteristics with the front cover of the magazine. The colours used on the double page spread are similar to the ones used on the front cover; red, black and white is used. Furthermore, the image on the front cover is also of Bring Me the Horizon. Again, Oli Sykes is in the foreground of the image. This supports the suggestion that the article’s chief focus is on the front man.

What is great about this article is that you need no prior knowledge to be able to read and understand the content. The article focuses on three areas of the bands career; the past, the present and the future. Therefore, all you need to know about the band is in the article itself.

Evaluation!!

1) In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions?

My media product both use and challenge the conventions of a real media product, as well as develop them in some areas. When I started thinking of the ideas for the front cover, I was certain of one thing; I wanted to challenge the conventions. This was because I want my magazine to stand out from the other music magazines. My front covers focal point is the image, it is completely dominant. I believe that this is effective because it means that the front cover is rather simplistic and therefore would appeal to my target audience. This alone challenges a real media product because magazines would normally reveal a lot about the content inside through text. The image itself also challenges the conventions of a real media product. The shot is high angle and reveals all of the artists’ body. Again, this challenges the conventions of a media product because the front cover usually depicts a mid-shot. The front cover continues to challenge the conventions of a real media product through the use of different colours to the usual (black, white and red). Radar uses blue, green and black. I think this is effective because the use of different colours is eye-catching and unique, which would attract the target audience. The only convention that my front cover uses is it only uses two different fonts. However, it does feature the artists’ logo which is in two different fonts entirely. Overall, I feel that the front cover definitely achieved my goal of challenging the conventions of a real media product.

In contrast to the front cover, I wanted to stick to the conventions of a real media product on the inside of magazine. The contents page almost entirely follows the conventions. It uses a fairly simplistic listed layout and features several images. Furthermore, the contents page also uses only two fonts. One of the images used depicts the front cover. I feel that this is effective because it is something which is a little different and interesting. I haven’t seen this used very often in music magazines; therefore, it challenges the conventions. Finally and similarly to the contents page, the double page spread mostly follows the conventions of a real media product. One side of the double page spread is taken up by an image, this conforms to the conventions. Moreover, there is a memorable and introductory quote that relates to the featured article.

2) How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My magazine represents the indie rock scene. Indie music has become more main stream since the turn of the millennium as independent artists joined major record labels. The typical indie rock fan can be either male or female; this has led to a blending of gender coded imagery. Male and female indie fans dress similarly and act similarly. Therefore, it is fair to say that my magazine is representative of a wide variety of people from the indie rock scene as a whole. In order to be a representative of this social group I had to ensure that it appealed to both genders and remained neutral in colour, font and language.

My front cover uses neutral colours; blue, green and black are three colours that could appeal to both genders. However, I did not choose colours that were conventional because I feel that indie rock fans are symbolic of free will and distinctiveness. The colours used definitely make the magazine distinctive and by choosing colours that would not be normally used it shows the magazines desire to promote free will and indie rock. This continues on both the contents page and double page spread.

The central image on the front cover is of a male indie artist. The reason why I have chosen a male for the front cover is because it goes against what you’d expect when you actually read the story. The story is hard hitting and very open. Again, the magazine is challenging the conventions. In choosing a male I think it represents indie rock fans because they are not afraid to open up and show emotion; whether they are male or female. The original photograph used is seen on the right.

3) What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I would like to think that several media institutions may like to distribute my magazine. However, there is one clear obvious candidate, Bauer Media Group. Bauer Media are a large publishing company based in Germany. They currently operate in 15 countries worldwide. The company is owned privately by the Bauer family and on average circulates 38million magazines a week. However, brand reputation is not the factor that attracts me to Bauer Media; I would like to think my magazine could sell itself. What attracts me to Bauer Media are their current media products. The Q and Kerrang! Magazines are two of my favourite magazines and are what provided the inspiration for my own media product.

Another reason that Bauer Media would be suitable for my media product is because of its good advertising reputation. On their website it quotes, “Bauer Media reaches over nineteen million UK adults across multiple media channels.”
My other consideration was IPC Media. Another large publishing and distributing with a good reputation for distributing indie rock magazines such as NME. The only difference is, historically, IPC Media have been reluctant to distribute abroad. When the creator of Loaded magazine gave an exclusive interview saying, “I left because it was just such a struggle with them. They were reluctant to develop it abroad or establish any of the spin-offs they could have done.” This wouldn’t be appropriate for my magazine because I could see my magazine distributed abroad.

4) Who would be the audience for your media product?

The audience for my media product would be any indie rock fans between the ages of 14-25. Bearing in mind that, nowadays, indie rock is such a main stream genre of music, I feel that I have to keep my magazine fairly neutral and appeal to both males and females.

My particular magazine would appeal to both males and females. It would appeal to males because the feature is focused on a male artist. Likewise, it would appeal to females but for different reasons. The article on ‘Cameron Ebbs’ in my magazine is an interview style article. This would stereotypically appeal more to females than males. Therefore, it is fair to say that my particular product, rather than the brand itself, is aimed more towards females because of the content.

5) How did you attract/address your audience?

Like I have mentioned, I felt as if I had to try and make my magazine appeal to both male and females, whilst maintaining an indie rock feel. My front cover, I feel, does this effectively. I tried to use neutral colours; such as blue, green and black. In doing this I hope that the colours would not put either gender off immediately. Furthermore, I have interestingly shot a high angle shot instead of a mid-shot. In doing this, I hope to entice people and hint that the interview inside is revealing and open. Overall, I feel that the front cover would attract my target audience because of its simplicity, whilst maintaining a certain amount of individuality that I feel mirrors and indie fans personality.

The contents page continues this simplistic feel; using simple colours, fonts and layout. The colour scheme continues on from the front cover. I tried to make the contents page as uncomplicated as possible. This is because I feel that people do not pay a lot of attention to the contents. Instead, they skim the text and look for words which stand out to them. This is why I have put a large quote on the contents page, to try and attract readers to the main feature article.

Lastly, the double page spread. I have chosen to take up an entire A4 side of the double page spread with one image. The image again is enticing and I hope that it would start people assessing and guessing as to the content of the article itself. The article itself is done in an interview style. This is quite unusual for an indie rock magazine. However, I feel that promoting an article which is slightly different from the customary could be a stand-out point and become an advantage.

6) What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

On the course of creating my final media product I have mainly used two completely new technologies. Firstly, Adobe Photoshop, which at first I struggled with. This is evident looking at my preliminary task which looks untidy and uncreative. However, in the preliminary task I did learn how to use the main tools like free transform. In doing this, my confidence started to develop and by the time I came to do my main task I was a lot more comfortable using Photoshop. Whilst doing my main task I had to create a logo. It turned out to be the most time consuming task of the whole production. However, without Photoshop’s copy merged and drop shadow options it would have taken me far longer to achieve the same result. Another layer which took some consideration was the large image on the double page spread. I used filter gallery to choose my favourite effect and apply it. Therefore, a task which I thought would take a while actually was rather stress-free.

The other technology I learnt how to use was Adobe InDesign. By using InDesign I could convert my work to a PDF file. Moreover, I learnt how to apply bleed marks. This allowed me to give my work that extra professional look that certainly Microsoft Publisher and perhaps Adobe Photoshop could not.


7) Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

The preliminary task was rather basic. I used one font, two colours and a very simple layout. Overall, it didn’t take long to construct. I did not know how to free transform, drop shadow, emboss or bevel. Therefore, the outcome didn’t look very professional; instead it looked cheap and rushed.

However, developing to the full product I learned new skills and this aided my understanding of key conventions and codes. By using Photoshop with more experience the outcome of my final product was very good. It looked professional and well thought out.

Double Page Spread - Main Task

Again, my double page spread is mostly conventional. I have taken up a whole side of the double page spread with one image. I have filtered this image to manipulate it. The double page spread focuses on the troubled year of an indie artist 'Cameron Ebbs', it is done in a interview format. The quote "I'm back, and this time for good!" draws attention to the page. I have used blue again to continue the theme from the contents.

Contents Page - Main Task

The contents page is more conventional than my front cover. The reason that I kept simple and straightforward was because I feel that people skim read the contents and only take note of the information that stands out. I have kept the same colour scheme and included an eye catching quote to entice consumers into reading the main feature double page spread.

Front Cover

I decided before I started creating my front cover that I wanted it to be more unconventional than conventional. My front cover uses an unusual colour scheme of blue, green and black. Although at first this sounds absurd, I believe it works and from the feedback I have been given other people believe so to. The reason why I chose to use an unconventional colour scheme is because I wanted to the front cover to be representative of the indie rock scene. One of the reasons I have chosen blue is because it connotes sea and sky; lyrics written by indie artists are quite often focused on the natural elements of the world around them. Green is also a natural colour. It is also symbolic of growth and freshness; I feel that those two words sum up the indie rock scene in recent years.

The logo itself took some time to develop. I have used The Great Thunder typeface as the basis. However, I have used a drop shadow to make it jump out at the consumer. Furthermore, I have taken on the idea that the word ‘radar’ is a palindrome. I used this to my advantage and made both R’s in ‘radar’ capital letters to create a logo. I then experimented with several different colours. I felt that blue suited the logo best. To finish the logo off I placed an image of electronic radar inside the D of ‘radar’. Not only does this look effective, it also denotes the idea that the magazine is always looking for new talent.

The main image is of a male indie artist sitting in the snow, looking deep in thought. I wanted to make the image on the front cover relate directly to the article on the double page spread. I have chosen to place the subject in the snow because snow connotes freshness and a new start. The article is all about the artist in discussion making a new start and moving on from his troubled past. Furthermore, the name of the artist’s new album is ‘Footsteps in the Snow’, by using the snow I have also related it to the album. The photograph could even be used as album art. I have used a high angle shot supposed to the conventional mid-shot. The fact that you can see all of his body suggests that the article is going to be completely open and reveal everything. The fact that it is a high angle shot also connotes that the subject of the article is under scrutiny, under pressure and has something to prove. This is actually very accurate to the article itself.
The fonts used on the front cover are simplistic, yet professional. I have chosen to use Myriad Pro. The reason why I chose to use this font is because it is kind on the eye, professional and compliments the text.

The layout is very simplistic, this was intentional. The reason why I chose to use a very simple layout with one image and minimal text is because I wanted to reflect the article on the double page spread. The layout is very straightforward and blunt. This is mirrored on the double page spread where ‘Cameron Ebbs’ reflects on his past in a very serious, straight and blunt way.

Preliminary Task

This is my finished preliminary task. I have chosen to use red and blue because they are the traditional colours of Smithdon High School. I have used one font throughout berlin sans.




















This is the mock up of my preliminary contents page i have continued the blue and red colour scheme. I have also used a simple layout. This is because the magazine would have to appeal to a younger market too.

Images for Main Task - Planning

These are the images various images i took for my main task. I chose to take several pictures so it gave me a wide variety of options and more imgages to choose from. I manipulated the images that i used to make them fit the content of my magazine.

Contents Analysis

I have chosen to analyse the same magazine as I chose for the front cover. I believe that this will make the task easier because I can identify links between the front cover and contents page.
Kerrang is a rock magazine and most articles feature images as the magazines readership is 14-20 year olds. It is therefore almost necessary for the magazine to supply images because otherwise it would not attract the people from their target market. The contents page features several pictures. The images are arranged around a layout; two large images and four small. This supplements the findings of the front cover analysis because often Kerrang has a similar layout each week. It makes the magazine more recognisable. The advantage of having a layout contents page is that the readers can gather and read information quicker because they know whereabouts on the page to look. This continues throughout the magazine. The images in this particular example are the most prominent feature on the contents page. They give indications of the content of the magazine without using words. This again appeals to the target audience because they can look straight at the contents page, see an image of their favourite band and turn to the page they would like to read.

There are three main colours on the contents page; yellow, black and white. Each of these colours is very simplistic and adds to the reader-friendly content that Kerrang tries to create. This supports the front cover because the three main colours on the front cover are red, black and white; again very natural colours. The red has been replaced by the yellow. I think this is because yellow is a more bright and eye-catching colour. Therefore, the contents page would use it to automatically draw your attention to the big articles in the magazine. We can infer this because wherever yellow is used a feature article is shown. The font on the contents page is also very simple and reader-friendly. It is big, bold and clear; all the things that 14-20 males are attracted to. Titles and sub-headings are in bold; making it easier to identify the article you wish to read.

Overall the information is organised so that it is easy and clear to understand. The layout of images is very symmetrical, the titles and sub-headings are in bold. All of these things make the contents page effective because people don’t read the contents page they just identify the pages in the magazine they wish to look at. The fonts, layouts and colours on the contents page make this task easier.

The contents page also presents an opportunity for the magazine to include promotional features; this is because readers are almost guaranteed to look at this page. On this particular contents page Kerrang promotes its own competition to win tickets to see Slipknot. What I notice is that this promotional feature is in a yellow star. It makes the feature more eye-catching. This is interesting because the logo is not placed anywhere on the page. Therefore, the magazine has space to fill with promotions and images.

Target Audience - Main Task

My magazine will be aimed at people like myself a male, aged 16-24. The reason why I have chosen to target this audience is because I feel it is the segment of society in which most people read music magazines. I am 17 and I am a huge follower of NME. I intend to use NME magazine to inspire me. The outcome that I want to achieve is a magazine with indie/rock traits. Therefore, I feel that I have to target my magazine at mainly the male gender. I think this because the indie/rock scene is male dominated. Furthermore, I will make sure that my magazine attracts people from the C1 and C2 section of the social demographics scale. This is because this is the segment of society which contains the most people. To ensure that I attract this audience, I have to make the content of my magazine quite easy to read and view.

Conception Ideas - Main Task

For the main task I have thought up a few ideas, obviously some of them will depend on certain factors, but i think it's important that I have a several ideas as back up in case my first choice doesn't go to plan. Below is a list of ideas, in order of preferance:

• Myself, in my back garden, holding a guitar. Hopefully, if all goes well, it is supposed to snow this weekend, i think that it will look effective. I will use a high angle shot to fully encapture the snow. The snow should connote peace and tranquility.
• Myself, lounging on a deck chair, holding an acoutic guitar. I think if the photo depicts me being slightly more laid back, it should mirror my target audiences attitude.
• Finally, if the weather is not great outside, i will take a mid shot of myself, again, holding my acoustic guitar. However, it is a last resort because i want to encapture the outdoors in my photo.

Magazine Cover Analysis 2

Empire magazine is a magazine which chief focus is on up-coming movies and new releases. It is published monthly by Bauer Consumer Media and distributes across the UK. The first issue was in 1989. It is currently the UK’s biggest selling film magazine and consistently outsells its closest rival Total Film. Empire is populist in its approach and coverage rather than more serious and conservative film magazines like Sight & Sound. Its primary focus is on both mainstream movies and art movies. This is a huge advantage for the magazine because it means that it can appeal to a vast target market. The front cover gives clues as to the articles and features that will be inside. It is quite obviously going to have at least a double page feature on Megan Fox and Transformers 2. Also, the front cover indicates that there will be exclusives on three other movies: Wolverine, Star Trek and Angels & Demons.

I think that the target audience for Empire magazine must be wide because in this age directors create movies which appeal to every niche market possible. In order for Empire to attract all of these niches they must feature articles on them. Therefore, we can conclude that Empire has no specific target market and aims there magazine at anyone who likes watching films. However, the content is very reader friendly which suggests that the magazine is aimed at people who are in the band C1 and C2 of the social demographics scale.

The central image on the magazine cover is of actress and movie star, Megan Fox. The shot is taken at a slight high angle. This gives the feel that she is fragile and defenceless, it is stereotypical women attributes. This theme is furthered by the way she is kneeling down and covering her body. However, the fact that she is looking straight at the camera contrasts to this and connotes that she has some sort of power over the reader or men and not afraid of other people’s thoughts of her. In addition to this, the central focus of the image is Megan Fox’s back and especially her tattoo. The back is typically the sexiest part of a women’s body and the tattoo signifies a sense of freedom and free speech. I feel that this is important because Megan Fox is known to be a very sexy and forthright woman. The central image suggests that the magazine wants a close relationship with its reader because of way in which Megan Fox is looking straight at the camera; it almost feels as if she is addressing the reader directly.

The individual in the image on the front cover is Megan Fox. She is an actress who has featured in many starring roles and been in huge blockbusters. Her first major role came in 2004 when she played Carla Santini in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, since then she has shot to stardom and won numerous awards for her acting career. On top of this success, she has also become a favourite in men’s magazine. She is seen as a sex symbol to many men. However, on this particular cover Megan Fox is on the cover because the magazine features an exclusive interview with her, focusing on the up-coming release of Transformers 2, in which she played a leading role.

The anchorage text says ‘One on one with the most wanted woman in Hollywood.’ This is very appropriate because it has a double meaning. She is most wanted in real-life and Hollywood because she is a sex symbol and the perfect women. Also, she is most wanted in Hollywood because she is a great actress and every director would love the chance to work with her. Moreover, it could be an indication on the type of film Transformers 2 is. The fact that she is ‘wanted’ could suggest that the new movie is a crime thriller. After watching Transformers 2, it came to my attention that a lot of the movie focuses on her being wanted. In the movie she is being chased for her love when she becomes resistant to admit she loves Shia LaBeouf, who plays her partner in the movie.

The magazine cover and central image itself are representing women. Megan Fox is revealing her body, showing she is not afraid to reveal herself. She is proud of her body and femininity. By revealing her back she is revealing the sexiest part of a woman’s body. Also, the fact that some of the writing is in the colour silver suggests desire for wealth. This perhaps suggests a woman’s drive and desire for wealth. Silver is elegant and sleek. These are all words you would expect to be used when describing an idyllic woman like Megan Fox. Furthermore, the use of the buzzwords ‘Hot’ and ‘sizzling’ in big writing, again, links to Megan Fox’s representation of women.

The title block is very prominent; the reason for this is because it is very bold and uses the colour red. Red connotes energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love. These are all words which you would like to see in a good movie. Therefore, the title block is representative of the magazine as a whole. The font used for Empire is fairly simplistic. However, the use of it is effective, because it is neither elitist nor populist. It is middle of the road, therefore, it again implies that the magazine does not have a specific target market and aims its magazine at anyone who enjoys watching and reading about movies.

The title of the magazine tells us a lot about the type of magazine it is in general. Firstly, Empire connotes a sense of unification and conjunction. This is exactly what the magazine would be hoping to achieve; the whole of the film market unified by one magazine. Secondly, the title itself can tell us a lot about the general brand image of the magazine. The word ‘Empire’ is a very grand and bold word; it applies to a whole nation. This is an indication to the type of brand image the magazine wants to achieve because it wants to be seen as the being on top of the film industry, be the grandmaster if you like. Empire magazine is definitely top of the table in terms of film magazines; therefore, the title does mirror its image and achievements. I think that the style the title Empire connotes could be interpreted in different ways. Either the language is very grand and elitist, or, more likely, the language and style is created to appeal to the whole empire and a wider audience.

There are four main colours on the magazine cover; Red, white, blue and silver. The danger, strength and power of the red used in the main title contrasts with the elegance and sleekness of the white, silver and blue. This works really well because it actually underlines the plot of the movie that Megan Fox is going to talk about in her exclusive. In Transformers 2 there is a main theme of action and danger. However, underlining this is a story of love and passion. I think that these colours have been chosen purposely to represent the theme of the magazine.

Magazine Cover Analysis 1

Kerrang is a weekly magazine featuring stories and articles on current rock artists. It is published by Bauer Consumer Media and distributed throughout the whole of the United Kingdom. Its articles focus on the genre of New Wave of British Heavy Metal. This particular edition has a feature article on Biffy Clyro and Paramore’s, Hayley Williams. Also, the magazine has free posters inside; it is another way of attracting consumers.

From the magazine cover I can infer that the target audience for Kerrang is14-20 year olds. I get the impression from the cover that the magazine is also aimed at mainly males because of the use of simple colours like black and white and no bright, eye-catching colours, which you would associate with a female target audience. However, it could be aimed at women with a masculine nature, which in the modern age are becoming more frequent.

The central image on the cover is of Simon Neil, who is the lead singer and lead guitarist of the popular rock band Biffy Clyro. The way in which the shot is taken gives a very sinister and vicious feel. Simon Neil is looking straight at the camera which is very intimidating. This is furthered by the low angle shot which gives Simon Neil a sense of domination over the reader. Furthermore, his facial hair and his hand are covering part of his face. This gives a sense of anonymity; a stereotypical rocker is very reserved and clandestine. It addresses the magazines audience because Simon Neil is representing a very stereotypical rocker. This suggests that the magazine wants a close relationship with its target market because the central image and colours used are closely associated with them.

The men on the front cover are Simon Neil, James Johnston and Ben Johnston the three members of the popular Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro. Since forming Biffy Clyro in 1995 at age 15, the band have been nominated for six awards at various award ceremonies and released five popular albums, the most recent album, Only Revolution, reached number three in the UK album charts. The reason why they are on the front cover is because the magazine features a exclusive interview with the band. Also, by putting their faces on the cover of the magazine, Kerrang are appealing to their target market and giving the consumer an incentive to buy the particular edition.

The anchorage text says ‘Unfold the puzzle of life.’ This edition was released in 2007, just before the release of Biffy Clyro’s forth album ‘Puzzles’. As you can see there is a clear connection between the anchorage texts. From this we can assume that the exclusive interview will be based on the release of their new album. Also, the fact that the anchorage text uses the word ‘unfold’ the consumer can predict that somewhere within the article, a new piece of information could come to light, most probably shedding light on their new album which could promote them as a band.

The overall message that Biffy Clyro are giving off is perhaps an indication of the type of music that there new album contains. The way that Simon Neil is posed is very mysterious and sinister. This could be an indication of the type of music that they create. What adds to this mysterious feel again is the word ‘Puzzle’. People finish puzzles to find out what the image creates. This could mirror the experience that Biffy Clyro wants to promote for their imminent new album.

The magazine cover and central image itself are representatives of ‘rockers’. Kerrang always uses simple colours such as blacks, whites and reds. These are stereotypically rocker colours. Also, the font that the title uses would be very appealing to the magazines target group. The font is not pretty and girly; it is hard, bold and dark; again representative of the so called ‘rockers’. Simon Neil himself is also representative of ‘rockers’ because he creates music which appeals to that group and could be seen as an idol to a member of that group. Overall the magazine is successful in representing their target group; this reaffirms the magazines close relationship with its consumers.

The title block is very prominent on the magazine cover. It uses two very bold and strong colours; black and white. By using bold, black colouring on the white background it makes the word ‘Kerrang’ stand out. It is one of the first things you see when you look at the magazine; this makes the magazine easily identifiable. Furthermore, the title itself has a unique font. The word is broken up with random, diagonal white lines through the text; it makes the title look different and memorable. This could mirror the content of the magazine, as it appeals to a niche market within a large musical world.

The title of the magazine, ‘Kerrang’, tells a lot about the magazine itself. Firstly, it conveys a sense of rebellion. I get this impression because the font is very gothic and dark. This tells me that the readership of the magazine is very similar in feelings. I get the impression that people who read Kerrang magazine are rebellious and gothic people. Secondly, the title itself can tell us a lot about the general brand image of the magazine. Again, because the title conveys to me a sense of gothic, I feel that the magazine would continue this theme into the magazine itself. Kerrang magazine seems to have a close relationship with its audience; one way of doing this is appealing to them through the image it gives off. I believe that the title is successful in adding to the gothic image the magazine tries to create. Lastly, the sense of its own unique style is given off by the title. The fact that title uses an original font could suggest that the style is created to appeal to a niche market.

There are three main colours on the front cover; black, white and red. I think by using only three colours on the front cover the magazine is sending a message across to its readers. This suggests that the content will be simplistic and easy to understand. This would appeal to the magazines audience because it would appear that the magazine is more reader friendly and accessible. The use of simple colours like red, black and white adds to this feeling. Furthermore, there are no bright colours. This reflects the male dominated target market. It also adds to the sense of gothic that the magazine generally portrays. I think that the colours used are suitable for the magazine because they fit in with the brand image of the magazine and appeal to the intended target audience.

AS Media - Tasks

Preliminary task

Using DTP and an image manipulation program produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally candidates must produce a DTP mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate their grasp of the program.

Main task:

Create the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine.

Candidates will evaluate and reflect upon the creative process and their experience of it. Candidates will research, plan and evaluate their work electronically as a blog. Research and planning may be presented in electronic format, but can take the form of a folder or a scrapbook at AS level only.