Typeface Analysis

Analysis of three feature pages

This issue is about how bands create lyrics of their songs. They've used the theme of creative process of making lyrics a simple notepad.The faithless lyrics is shown in hand written font and displayed on this taped paper.The lyrics is annotated with the explanation and meaning of the lyrics.The annotations are numbered,to guide the reader.

The colour scheme used:black and white.Those are conventional colour's of rock.The names of the bands are all in red font,to make them stand out and to colour code them for the reader to easily find the name of the band.Scribbles and tiny drawings are splat around the double page spread,this is to empathize the creative and making process of songwriting.Even the actual logo of the band is mentioned.

Some drawings represent conventional symbol used in rock.The lighting bolt represent power.The inverted cross is used a lot by black metal bands such as the MCR featured here on this magazine to show their supposed devotion to Satan.

The language used is simple and is directly addressed to the reader a lot,to attract attention and create a relationship with the reader. Rhetorical questions are used to make the reader think,this is further used by using ellipses.

The whole feature mainly focus on the biggest image of the far left.The band member has a expression on his face as if his thinking,this is to reinforce the process of making.He is holding a notepad,which puts the whole theme together of scribbles and writing.

This feature has an interesting big image of a man looking into a mirror however,he is differently reflected on the mirror than he is shown.The mirror reflects him looking angry and fierce,in reality he is supposedly calm and collected.Perhaps this is to reflect how the article describes him and to show his individuality and inner feelings.Biffy is topless for the purpose to to show his tatoos on his body,sugesting the lifestyle he leads and rock genre.This article is different to many other in the magazine and is more personal which attracts the readers.Furthermore the image stretches out across the whole two pages,it is unusual and challenges the conventions of a rock magazine as normally the main image would cover only a single page.

The colour scheme used is simple as it only based on three colours : black and red and white.

The title "demons be gone!"is red to empathize the idea of the "demons" that is mentioned.The choisce of of red reinforces the house style of the magazine. 

The page would be read first from the the top of the left side than up and down the right side.This is very effective as the reader would look at the first representation of him being calm and than would see his reflection of him being completely the opposite.This is used to create this idea that he is shown differently to what he actually is.

The only text included on the left side page introduces the article.It reveals us that the interviewr "james McMahon"discussed the bands "long,hard road out of hell".The use of the word "hell" links with the "demons" in the title and suggests the article will talk about the struggles they had to go through during their rocky career path.The reader is therefore encouraged to find out more of what struggles they experienced.

The main article starts with a bigger capital letter in size comparing to the the rest of the article otherwise knows as the drop capital ,which meets the conventions of magazine articles.Those drop capitals are used throughout the article,this acts as a subheading and indicates the change in the bands life.

This is a double spread page,the theme through out uses typical colours used in rock;black,red and white.All of the images are dull and dark,the biggest image is used as a background for the whole issue,this puts the whole theme together..

The masthead is of a quote taken from the band.The font matches the magazines house style,It is bold and artsy.The quote used has two different colours with the most important being larger and a lighter colour,which tell the reader who the article is about as it includes the bands name.Furthermore the title is slightly slanted,this makes the page it look more interesting and inventive.

The subheading underneath the title reveals more information about what the article is going to cover.The name of the band is in bold text to make it stand out.

The first letter if the article is in different colour and larger.This is to indicate to the reader where the article begins and to make it look trendy and attractive.It also invited the reader in to read.

The written text is organised into columns,making it neat and easy to read.The main text is hugely smaller than the headline.The dark background really makes the white text stand out.There is a main text with two collums and an extra column with black text on white background which gives more context to the main text.This side text is not relevant to the article but is related to who it is talking about.

The header informs the reader this article is "news" and and brags about how it is an "world exclusive which makes the reader feel this is a special article as only Kerrang! readers would be able to read it.

The images are of the band member and shows them working with their music and in concerts.Therefore it links with the the genre of music the whole magazine covers.Each image has a small caption underneath,it is not very noticeable but still mentioned in case the reader wanted more context on the image.

Analysis of three content pages

Content pages taken from magazines under the rock genre:

The masthead is conventionally put at the top left of the content page with the"this week" text in a different font and colour to make it stand out.It also tells the reader that the content page covers all the highlights of this week and it implies the information that is received is current.

Band Index informs all the reader what bands are going to be featured.In addition each band name is tagged with its page number.The purpose of this is that if the reader is interested in a particular band they can scheme through it and find what they are looking for by being guided by the page numbers.

Furthermore all of the content is helpfully categorized and organised into 5 sections so the reader could scheme though and find things quickly.The content page follows conventions with the freshest "News" are at the top and "reviews" on the back pages.

The "plus" tells us there is even more contents which hypes up the reader and satisfies them.

At the bottom of the page there is an offer of subscription of the magazine using the phrase "subscribe today and save over 45 pounds".This makes the viewer feel special as if they subscribed they would pay less than a normal costumer and by subscribing they would feel part of a community.The word "save" would attract younger buyers.

The colour scheme of this content page:red,black,yellow and white.The colour yellow is used on the font of the offer as it associated with richness and happiness.The colour red reflects the images utilized and symbolizes the rock genre ,as the colour is linked to it.Black font on white background is used frequently as black is very bold and on top of the white background it is very clear and easy to read.

The content page mainly focuses on the middle images that takes up most of the page,this will immediately draw the readers attention to image and will help to grow interest to the band and as to why is it so important that it evidently takes out most of the space.

The layout of this content page is very clattered which emphasizes the rock genre as rock music is associated with rebellion.Names of band have a bold font to make them stand out.If there reader was looking for a particular band, they would find it easily.

The content is organised into eight sections.The "feedback" and latest "news" is at the front of the magazine-follows conventions.The "reviews" are at the back of the magazine .All of the articles and features are laid out in chronological order according to their page numbers this makes it very simple for the reader to find what they want.

The language used is very simple and there is a use of direct address this makes it easy for the reader to understand as well as the direct address creates a more of a personal relationship with the reader and grabs attention.

There is an editors comment placed on the left side of the content page,it is directly approached to the audience by sharing personal experience and thoughts.However the font used is very small, this is because it doesn't need to be read unless someone is interested but the picture of the editor shows the appreciation,that the editorial is worth mentioning.The editor comments on what their thoughts were on working with a band,this gives a back story to the article and share more information about the band.

The colour scheme used for this content page:white,yellow,black and red.The most important content is highlighted in yellow,so they stand out.The issue number and masthead is the only thing coloured white this is because those things would always be there and need to be mentioned.The red colour is used for the page numbering ,this is always red because it be easier for the reader to find stuff.

The colour scheme follow conventional colours used in rock.Those colours are linked to rock therefore make it clear what type of genre of music this magazine covers.The sub-heading are bolder to guide the reader and depict what they are looking for quicker.The issue number and page number are white because they would always be there.A regular reader would find it easier this as they would be used to the general colour scheme used.

The layout of the Q magazines content page is very sophisticated and bold,this means its more targeted towards a more matur audience.Its different from usual rock content pages as it stretches out through two pages. The images tagged with page numbers illustrate to the reader to what the the articles on those pages is going to cover and brings interests as well as a backbone to the article.The biggest feature has the biggest image,as its the most important.

The language used is also very sophisticated as the style and layout of the magazine,the theme is kept through out.The font is very simple on both pages,this makes it easy to read and not over dramatizing makes the content page very sophisticated.

AS analysis of a magazines cover pages

I will be analysing a rock genre magazine cover to further look into how a rock genre magazine cover is done and the conventions of so, I can apply to my main task.

This is a rock genre magazine cover published by “KERRANG!” Starting from the bold masthead, it draws attention; the font is black and has slits through it which refers to the conventions of rock; being rebellious. The magazine follows a C layout; the cover is read from top round the image to the bottom. The main image is of a band this is common in rock magazines to have a popular band featured as stars are admire by the audience this would increase sales. The band that is the main featured “Avenged sevenfold” must be huge to draw attention as well as make it clear that this is what the main feature of the magazine is. The main models represented as rebellious, aggressive and dangerous. We can tell this through body language with one the model with an open mouth leaning forward while holding a chain and others holding a bat or a pipe which, the audience would associate with violence and gangs .Tattoos are also very common in rock magazine covers, it shows they are not afraid to self-express and go against rules of society, this would relate to teenagers as they would want to find themselves through music. This is even emphasized by the sub-heading “ the world most dangerous band “this intrigues the reader Main image is an establishing shot, this shit was sued to show what they are wearing and their makeup .Furthermore, the band members are casually dress with jeans and a top making them looks quite laid-back, this is commonly seen in rock covers. The three main colours used are: red, yellow, white. The colours link to the models cloths and makeup; it suits the colour scheme and puts the whole cover together. The different types of fonts are used to make it look more interesting and eye-catching.

Free posters persuade readers to purchase the magazine and appeals to teenagers as they would be interesting in something free. Different bands are mentioned in the feature stories to attract the audience if they see one of their favourite bands, which will make them want to read the magazine. The small but noticeable Barcode has a date on to so the audience will know whether it is a new feature. The price is quite cheap which would attract the younger audience. Media language is very direct, the models is looking straight out of the magazine, drawing the reader in and direct language and also by looking directly at the reader it makes it more personal and attracts the readers to the magazine.“25 metal anthems you must own the banners show other things that will be includes in the magazine, the white font witting on the yellow background stands out.

The lightening uses in the main image is high key making the image clear and more fun, the colours are very saturated and intense suggesting a good atmosphere which attracts the audience to the featured band and wanting to get to know them more. This is a very common way of how males would be represented in rock genre.

The male are conventionally represented as they are shown as very masculine and strong .The denotations of the models showing off their biceps and muscles, standing with wide open legs and chins up also tells us they are confident.

Kerrang! magazine is published by hamburg based bauer media group which is kerrangs institution.they are in charge of distributing,,marketing and producing different media products.. Kerrang is a magazine but also provides an online subscription alternative,has a radio and its own TV channel.This means they can address to more possible consumers.Bauer only distribute only under the rock and pop culture,this means they are specialized in that area. Kerrang magazine is published weekly and their circulation is around 20,000.Each magazines sells for 2.20 pounds each in supermarkets such as asda in the uk.

Classic rock” gets published once every month. The price varies from £4.25 to 5.99 depending on the content and if any freebies are included. It is mostly always around 350 pages long, quite large due to it being released every month. It targets an audience between 16 and 60 yrs. old.

A freebie “free CD!” is included with the magazine shown by a yellow post note on the left top corner. Though it’s a freebie it would still attract an older audience because the type of music and the band has been out there for a very long time.

The masthead is large and bold; it covers the whole top of the magazine and on a black background it really stands out for the reader to see. The font that has been used makes it look rebellious-following conventions and will appeal to people who are big fans of “classic rock”. This masthead relates to the audience as it is stated alone in the name that it is about rock.