Monday, 18 April 2011
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Monday, 14 March 2011
Looking at magazines; contents pages!
Today we've been looking at different types of magazines (well, contents pages of magazines) so that we can get examples to base our work on and also to take into consideration what they should include.
I chose to look at Kerrang! and Mojo magazines, of which are on completely different sides of the musical spectrum...which in my case was a bonus :)
Both magazines have shared conventions; as they contain the masthead somewhere in the publications more than once. They also both have large images on the title page informing the reader of what will be on the double page spread (For Kerrang! it is mid-angle shot of Bullet For My Valentine, and for Mojo is also a mid-angle shot but of Courtney Love). It is clear to see that on both publications the issue number and release dates are repeated from the front cover, and they both highlight what the cover story is, either in a different section or with a symbol to show the reader what will be the biggest story in the issue.
Obviously, the publications titles are present continuously, and they are clear to see, acting as some sort of focal point. Kerrang!'s title page is busy and cluttered, as the genre of the magazine is a heavy rock/pop-punk, whereas Mojo is more simplistic due to its laid back indie/alternative magazine.
In Kerrang! the editor of the publication adds in her review of the week or the contents of the magazine, whereas Mojo keeps their contents page simple by only having titles of the articles and 1 image. The colour schemes of the magazines run throughout, and the page is broken up into page numbers (Kerrang going in numerical order whereas Mojo go in order of sections, as each section goes in numerical order, and the number line re-starts for each section.)
Looking at the contents pages for thoroughly has made me consider my contents pages' layout more; how the colour scheme should run throughout, whether I would like to create a message from the editor input or not and also that I will have to find ways of involving the magazines masthead within the contents page. I will also have to take into consideration how I will layout the page numbers and images to convey the right message.
I chose to look at Kerrang! and Mojo magazines, of which are on completely different sides of the musical spectrum...which in my case was a bonus :)
Both magazines have shared conventions; as they contain the masthead somewhere in the publications more than once. They also both have large images on the title page informing the reader of what will be on the double page spread (For Kerrang! it is mid-angle shot of Bullet For My Valentine, and for Mojo is also a mid-angle shot but of Courtney Love). It is clear to see that on both publications the issue number and release dates are repeated from the front cover, and they both highlight what the cover story is, either in a different section or with a symbol to show the reader what will be the biggest story in the issue.
Obviously, the publications titles are present continuously, and they are clear to see, acting as some sort of focal point. Kerrang!'s title page is busy and cluttered, as the genre of the magazine is a heavy rock/pop-punk, whereas Mojo is more simplistic due to its laid back indie/alternative magazine.
In Kerrang! the editor of the publication adds in her review of the week or the contents of the magazine, whereas Mojo keeps their contents page simple by only having titles of the articles and 1 image. The colour schemes of the magazines run throughout, and the page is broken up into page numbers (Kerrang going in numerical order whereas Mojo go in order of sections, as each section goes in numerical order, and the number line re-starts for each section.)
Looking at the contents pages for thoroughly has made me consider my contents pages' layout more; how the colour scheme should run throughout, whether I would like to create a message from the editor input or not and also that I will have to find ways of involving the magazines masthead within the contents page. I will also have to take into consideration how I will layout the page numbers and images to convey the right message.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Music magazine; possible routes- Alternative/Indie.
For my next task, I will be creating a music magazine. When the task was given to me, i had millions of ideas on which route to take it; and concluded my 4 favourite ideas into a mindmap.
I then began the basis of my magazine, which would outline the way to go about it. This meant taking pictures. I used my sister as a subject due to her frame and features; blacking out and bulking up her eyebrows, using an orange shadow on her eyes due to its unusual colour and lining her lips in a shiny blue. I placed her long hair into a high bun rounded by a plait and dressed her first in a black sequin dress with padded shoulders, and then a strapless top so that the focus was on her face. I did this to represent the fashion side of the Alternative/Indie music genre; how the listeners choose the represent their personalitys through clothing. The outcome after photoshopping was rather pleasant.
Monday, 14 February 2011
Textual Analysis Part 2!
So for the next lesson we analysed a monthly magazine. This was 'Healthy', stating itself as the the UK's top selling health magazine. The masthead of the magazine is placed behind the main image, showing the reader that although the title is covered, it is a brand that is well known enough to be disguised. The next section is the selling line, of which is to the point and obvious, "Your natural health expert". It also shows the reader that it is trustworthy and maintains information and advice on health issues or topics. The dateline conveys that the magazine is released once a month.
The whole front cover contains 4 coverlines and a main coverline, of which is much bigger and in a brighter colour than the other coverlines. As the text is in white, it stands out againt the blue background as it is much darker. The main image of the publication is a lowshot of a young woman. It is clear to the reader than she is happy due to her facial expression, and is healthy as her skin is glowing, she is slim and fit. She also has a natural look, as she has minimal make-up and a clean skintone. There are also offers in the magazine; £88 money off vouchers, and a free book. This would be used to intice the reader to buy the magazine, as they would feel like, although spending £1.75 on the publication, they are getting some sort of 'gift' in return.
The magazine is clearly aimed at a female readership, as the cover image is of a woman, and the coverlines are generally issues that women, stereotypically, will worry about.
The whole front cover contains 4 coverlines and a main coverline, of which is much bigger and in a brighter colour than the other coverlines. As the text is in white, it stands out againt the blue background as it is much darker. The main image of the publication is a lowshot of a young woman. It is clear to the reader than she is happy due to her facial expression, and is healthy as her skin is glowing, she is slim and fit. She also has a natural look, as she has minimal make-up and a clean skintone. There are also offers in the magazine; £88 money off vouchers, and a free book. This would be used to intice the reader to buy the magazine, as they would feel like, although spending £1.75 on the publication, they are getting some sort of 'gift' in return.
The magazine is clearly aimed at a female readership, as the cover image is of a woman, and the coverlines are generally issues that women, stereotypically, will worry about.
Textual Analysis!
Over a series of lessons we have been looking at and analysing magazine front covers and how effective they are, what techniques they use to attract and why they do this.
The first magazine I looked at was 'Quad' the magazine for post grads of the Queen Mary University of London. The front cover displays several pictures; one of Queen Mary- which is clearly related to the Universitys basis, as it is where the name is from. Below this, there is a picture of students duing their graduation, and also other images including three of the writers of the magazine, a picture of the new Olympic stadium and an old photo of, what may be, post-grads.
The magazine clearly states that it is for this specific University, both in the logo and selling line.
The layout of the magazine is very cluttered due to the the 8 very different photo's, however there is little information, other than the names of the writers. There is no clear colour scheme, but the colour that is there is quite dull and un-appealing. The font face used is easy to read and shows the reader that the tone of the magazine is more mature, which shows that the audience type would be of a more mature age. It is also clear to us that the images used hint toward the content, which whilst being good, also removes the class that the magazine could maintain.
The next magazine that was analyzed was 'Newsman', a magazine for the students of the higher education facility in Birmingham. It only states in one place that the magazine is for the students, therefore making the readership confusing to analyze, however, the font face and image choice shows that it is not for a mature audience like the Quad magazine. We are presented with 7 different images also, however it is done in a more modern way, combining all images together on the top and left side of the magazine, and putting them into shapes. The bottom and right side of the publication is a list of content, which is being framed by the images, making it a focal point. The 'Newsman' contains more information than the 'Quad', however does not display the same kind of maturity. The colours used are more vibrant and grab the attention of the reader, therefore working as a selling technique. The images contain multiple child references, firstly with the little girl listening to what may be an audio book at the top left, and also a child playing a videogame in the bottom left; this hints towards a childlike theme, whether its towards the focus of the school or focus of the audience.
Finally, I analyzed the 'St.Marks' school prospectus magazine. On the front, we can only see two images, one of students working and the second of three students, all of which look very happy; displaying a good view of the school already. The upper section of the magazine states what type of school it is, and contains a logo. The masthead is displayed in prestigous colours; gold and red, making the school and magazine look more respectable and professional. The selling line is in a contrasting colour to the burgendy background and the surrounding orange glow. This makes it stand out and create easier reading for the audience. The logo used is a common and well known image, this would clearly show that the magazine is about St. Marks even if the masthead is covered. The layout of the magazine is well presented to both a parental and student audience. There is a clear colour scheme to the cover, using a range of orages, yellows, reds and golds.
The first magazine I looked at was 'Quad' the magazine for post grads of the Queen Mary University of London. The front cover displays several pictures; one of Queen Mary- which is clearly related to the Universitys basis, as it is where the name is from. Below this, there is a picture of students duing their graduation, and also other images including three of the writers of the magazine, a picture of the new Olympic stadium and an old photo of, what may be, post-grads.
The magazine clearly states that it is for this specific University, both in the logo and selling line.
The layout of the magazine is very cluttered due to the the 8 very different photo's, however there is little information, other than the names of the writers. There is no clear colour scheme, but the colour that is there is quite dull and un-appealing. The font face used is easy to read and shows the reader that the tone of the magazine is more mature, which shows that the audience type would be of a more mature age. It is also clear to us that the images used hint toward the content, which whilst being good, also removes the class that the magazine could maintain.
The next magazine that was analyzed was 'Newsman', a magazine for the students of the higher education facility in Birmingham. It only states in one place that the magazine is for the students, therefore making the readership confusing to analyze, however, the font face and image choice shows that it is not for a mature audience like the Quad magazine. We are presented with 7 different images also, however it is done in a more modern way, combining all images together on the top and left side of the magazine, and putting them into shapes. The bottom and right side of the publication is a list of content, which is being framed by the images, making it a focal point. The 'Newsman' contains more information than the 'Quad', however does not display the same kind of maturity. The colours used are more vibrant and grab the attention of the reader, therefore working as a selling technique. The images contain multiple child references, firstly with the little girl listening to what may be an audio book at the top left, and also a child playing a videogame in the bottom left; this hints towards a childlike theme, whether its towards the focus of the school or focus of the audience.
Finally, I analyzed the 'St.Marks' school prospectus magazine. On the front, we can only see two images, one of students working and the second of three students, all of which look very happy; displaying a good view of the school already. The upper section of the magazine states what type of school it is, and contains a logo. The masthead is displayed in prestigous colours; gold and red, making the school and magazine look more respectable and professional. The selling line is in a contrasting colour to the burgendy background and the surrounding orange glow. This makes it stand out and create easier reading for the audience. The logo used is a common and well known image, this would clearly show that the magazine is about St. Marks even if the masthead is covered. The layout of the magazine is well presented to both a parental and student audience. There is a clear colour scheme to the cover, using a range of orages, yellows, reds and golds.
Friday, 11 February 2011
Preliminary task; front page and contents page.
For my preliminary task, I had to create the front cover AND contents page for the schools magazine. I was able to choose whether to do it for the whole school or just the sixth form section. I chose to do the magazine only for the sixth formers, as I didnt have any ideas for the whole school one.
I would say that all round it went quite well, however there is quite a bit i would like to change. Photoshop skills are improving! So atleast thats a bonus :D
I would say that all round it went quite well, however there is quite a bit i would like to change. Photoshop skills are improving! So atleast thats a bonus :D
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