After completing my
format research of my three chosen magazines all with different music genres I
now feel I have gain greater understanding of the norms of music magazines and
improved my analytical skills. I chose three genres that were completely
different from each other so I could discover how the genre of music affected
the layout of the magazine. As a result of analysing each of the covers in
detail I can now identify any similarities or difference between them. A
typical trait I found when looking over the classical music magazine was the
simplistic layout used with elegant font and sophisticated lexis. One main image was used on the cover, it
making up the background as well; this was also the case for the NME magazine.
By having an image as the background the magazine is not so crowded and busy
with information, suiting older readers. In addition this demonstrates how the
designers and institutes behind these magazine have thought about the layout
with their target audience in mind. Keerang on the other hand, has lots of
images on the cover as well as including a larger main image, furthermore, it
is very colourful and ‘in your face’ this makes it stand out more compared to
the other magazines.
A norm found between
all three of the music magazines is that the mastheads are located at the top
of the page; furthermore they are the largest sized text on the page ensuring
that they stand out to the readers. Mastheads are likewise used to create a
branding for each individual magazine, so although they are all at the top of
the page, which is a similarity there are slight differences between each genre
of music. For example Keerang’s main image overlaps slightly over the masthead
highlighting how the creators are confident that their brand is strong enough
for the magazine to be recognised. Also it is in its own unique font whereas
the others are more general. Moreover the style of the text reflects rock music, as it is quirky with the use of
black, which is consistently associated with rock music. Keerang’s magazine
could be criticized for being overcrowded however I feel that this works well
for the genre of music, it being loud and energetic. By having lots going on in
the cover this is reflected, ultimately suiting rock fans that are the most
likely target audience. Linking back to the use of mastheads all three
magazines have used them throughout their magazine supporting the idea of
branding. This is something I would like to achieve with my own magazine so I
aim to be consistent with my use of masthead and the similar use of font and
colour.
I have also noticed
that the classical music magazine defied convention by not having a direct mode
of address. However, as the model has a more natural pose a less artificial
image is created and as a result it suits the genre of music, being pure and
unedited. In contrast the two other
magazines have images that are more structured and composed, this again suits
the brand that’s wanted to be created, it being modern and reflecting on the
genre of music and appealing to the target audience. When taking my own front
cover images I plan to focus on grabbing the target audiences attention as I
think it is key to the sale of the magazine because it contributes largely to
the covers. The rock magazine also has flashers, which again suit the genre of
music, it being ‘in your face’ and loud. Moreover, all the audiences has been
considered with each magazine with the use of lexis, formal text has been used
for classical music magazine as it contains relevant and specific information;
this may be because it targets readers who enjoy the sophisticated use of
language.
From this format
research I have discovered that a key aspect to the covers is the idea that
their readers easily identify them, they consistently use repetition of
features from the cover each week to ensure that a branding is created and that
they stand out individually. The institutes, which are the companies behind the
creation of the magazine pay an important role in ensuring that this happens. Additionally
each magazine has traits that suit the genre of music, I hope that my own
creation of a music magazine front cover reflects my chosen genre well after
learning that images, layout, font and colour all contribute in targeting the
audience.
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