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.

Reader Profile

My magazine readers are keen music fans with an urge to hear the latest gossip from the Indie world! Most of my readers frequently attend Gigs so Gig Flyers/Offers will be included in the magazine.  They are highly interested in the latest Indie fashion trends and films and therefore spend £150+ a month on this!
From the questionnaire results, I can conclude that 85% of readers are aged between 15 and 21, with the other 15% being between 22 and 28. From these results, my intended audience will be aged 15+. The majority of readers would fortnightly pay £1.00+ for a magazine that includes: advertisements, special offers and interviews. Readers favourite Artists include the likes of:

• Florence & The Machine
• Klaxons
• Arctic Monkeys
• The Cribs

All of these results from the questionnaire will help me to create my Indie magazine.

Pop Magazine Contents Page Analysis H/W

Mizz Magazine is a childrens pop magazine with an intended audience of ages between 10 and 14. With a young intended audience, the fonts used are simple and easy to read. The layout is also simple and different colours are used to differentiate between each title and article. The bright colours used are usually associated with a young audience which is why they are suitable. The conflicting colours also help the page to stand out. 'Welcome!' is written in a curly font which gives the effect of it being handwritten. This creates a warm, welcoming feeling for the audience. Informal language is used to appeal to the young audience. If formal language was to be used, the audience would be bored and possibly not interested. Mizz Magazine would be more aimed at girls because of the colours, images and the layout. With disney images, girly colours, Zac Efron and curly fonts. This would not necessarily appeal to a young boy. The main images used are famous people that young girls usually love. The image of Zac Efron is suitable because he is from the popular, well loved film of 'High School Musical'. Young girls love Zac Efron so his image will attract a broader fanbase and even more young girls. The image of the young girl modelling inspires young girls to possibly want to be like her and have an interest in fashion.