Music Cover First Draft

This is the first draft of my Indie music magazine 'Revolution'. As a Revolution usually marks the change of something and the Indie music genre is becoming more and more popular, I felt this name was suitable. I used the sub heading of 'Best Selling Indie Magazine' for conventional reasons and also to possibly attract a wider fanbase. This sort of sub heading will attract readers to the magazine. I used the colour scheme of red, black, white and grey so that my magazine will appeal to both a male and female audience. These colours are versatile so I will use them as a house style and use them throughout my magazine for professionalism. I thought the colour red would be suitable for my front cover as my cover artist is also wearing red lipstick. Red is also a striking, powerful colour which coincides with the artists pose. The setting is dark at the back of a garden which shows the freedom and individuality within the Indie genre. Firstly I chose another imagine with my model sitting on an old bench at the back of my garden, however this imagine rejected stereotypes a little too much so I changed it. My cover artist is looking up with her head to the side. With the artist looking up and quoting 'My only intention is to conquer the world!', this is showing her superiority and ambition. The artist is wearing khaki and beige clothes which not only works with the setting but also fits the Indie genre. The big circle is stereotypically on an Indie magazine, as is the text at the bottom. In my questionnaire I found that my readers read music magazines for offers, reviews, interviews etc.. so I intend on including these in my magazine. Women aren't usually featured as cover artists on Indie magazines so by using 'Joely' I am rejecting stereotypes and breaking conventions.

When improving my magazine there are a few things I will do. I will possibly edit my image slightly to give it more of an effect. I may add some text and change the positioning too.

How do magazine covers use of denotations/connotations attract their intended audience?

Magazine covers use several types of denotations and connotations to attract their intended audience. Ways in which they do this is with the use of pictures, text, quotes and associations. Look Magazine uses the connotation 'SHOCK CONFESSION!'. This is a connotation because although it says 'shock confession!' it isn't literally a shock confession, it is just an emotional suggestion perhaps. The big yellow circle with black text inside is actually the main focus/purpose and not the dentotations of a literal yellow circle. Denotations of the numbers 68, 324 and the prices shown are to promote and advertise on the magazine cover. The images of clothes and handbags on the magazine cover are their as denotations, as they show literal meaning and show what can be found in the magazine. This alone attracts their intended audience. With girly, bright colours used the intended audience would be women. However, with a beautiful woman as the cover image and the heading 'I want a baby with Derek' men could possibly want to buy it. 'I want a baby with Derek' is a connotation as although it has been quoted, that wasn't precisely what Cheryl would've said. Using a connotation as a sub-heading could potentially broaden the magazines fanbase as readers will see things on the cover they may want to read about inside!

NME Double Page Spread Analysis

This double page spread is from NME magazine, of a Indie genre. With Florence also being the artist on the cover of this particular magazine, it shows her importance within the music genre. With one image used for the whole double page spread, it shows Florence's significance. 'USA got the love' is the heading of the article which perhaps tells readers that Florence has managed to conquer USA with her song 'You Got The Love'. As Florence is a UK artist, this could attract readers and Florence & The Machine fans especially as they could be interested to see she has broadened her horizons. Florence is sitting on a stack of boxes covered with an American flag. I think the message they are trying to portray is Florence sitting on her podium, climbing to the top and conquering America! The simple colour scheme of the page helps Florence stand out with her red hair and also helps the American  flag stand out. This leaves Florence and the main topic of her conquering the USA be the main focus. The basic colour scheme also enables the magazine to appeal to a mixed gender of all different ages.
NME magazine's double page spread was very different to Kerrang's but more similar to Vibe magazine's. As I am creating an Indie magazine myself, I will deeply look into the features of this magazine to help me.

Kerrang Double Page Spread Analysis

This double page spread is from the Rock genre, Kerrang magazine. With red usually being associated with danger and black being a dark colour, they fit in with the Rock genre of the magazine. By using these colours, Kerrang magazine automatically connect with their readers. With the headings boldly written in capital letters, this grabs the eye of readers and perhaps suggests they are shouting and more authorative. The rest of the text on the page is small and a simple font which makes it easy to read. Using the colours red, black and white help appeal to a male and female audience of all ages. By using 'WORLD EXCLUSIVE' and 'NEWS', this could possibly attract a wider fanbase as people will be interested in reading about My Chemical Romance. The use of images of My Chemical Romance show that they are a popular band within the Rock genre. All images are taken with a musical instrument too, which shows their passion for the music they are producing.  With such small text and several large images, it perhaps shows that Kerrang magazine don't intend on educating readers, but focusing on image more.

R&B Double Page Spread Analysis

This double page spread is from Vibe magazine, of an R&B/Hip Hop genre. This double page spread is very different to Kerrang magazine. Kerrang magazine had very little text with lots of large images, whereas Vibe magazine has lots of text but with several images too. The overall colour scheme is quite plain, using only black, white and blue. Using these neutral colours appeals to both a male and female audience of all ages, which can help increase the magazines fanbase. Solange Knowles is wearing a short orange dress with high heels. This image accepts the body image importance stereotype within the R&B/Hip Hop music genre. Solange wearing an orange dress enables her to stand out and be the main focus, as does her name being printed in bright blue. With lots of text and pictures, it shows that Vibe magazine intend on educating readers and entertaining them too.