The document provides an analysis of the magazine cover design elements and how they contribute to meaning and audience interpretation. Key elements analyzed include the skyline, masthead, main cover line, cover lines, puff, main image and their purpose in promoting the magazine's stories and attracting audience interest. Analysis of color, size, placement and other visual symbols explores how different readings may influence the audience.
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Music magazine analysis.pptx (2)
1. Skyline The skyline is there to promote the
message of the magazine. This skyline is
very bias and cocky towards the magazine
because its saying that is has the best
stories and making the audience think its
the best.
Masthead The masthead is one of the
main elements of the magazine. This
masthead stands out because its bright red
and reasonably big.
Main cover line - This is clearly the main cover
line because its the biggest one and stands out
the most. Its biggest because its the most
important cover line and is a famous singer
which will make the audience more interested
because they might know of them.
Cover lines - These are here to
showcase the other stories in the
magazine and give the reader a bit of
information so they can have a general
idea of the magazine.
Puff - The puff is there to advertise or show
something off. Its in bright red to really
make it stand out and pull away from the
background. Also the word essential makes
it seem like you need it and you have to
buy it.
Main image - The main image is the focal
point for the whole front cover. It takes up the
most space because its what sells the
magazine and attracts the buyer. People buy
the magazine because of the high profile
celebrities that feature on them.
Front covers-
2. Analysis -
The genre of this magazine is singer songwriter and mainstream. You can easily tell its singer songwriter because of the guitar
which instantly creates a niche market for the magazine because not everyone likes that genre but Ed Sheeran is very famous so
it helps to create a higher profile for the genre and magazine.
There are different signs used in the magazine to create effect and meaning. The guitar could be seen as an indexical sign as it
signifies country roots and a hippy kind of culture. The guitar is a pretty big part of the image so it instantly helps to signify the type
of magazine and identify the niche market. This means that the audience can get the idea of the magazine fast and can help to
inform their decision whether to buy it.
The clothes that Ed Sheeran is wearing are a dark black colour. His t shirt and leather jacket are both good at adding to the
meaning. The colour black can signify mystery or unknown. This creates the effect that there might be something maybe a little
mysterious or not talked about in this genre. This idea is also shown by his facial expressions. He is looking up and away like hes
surprised or intrigued. This gives the audience the impression that theres something they dont know and therefore they want to
find out.
The preferred reading of this magazine would be that fame isnt always about having the most money or expensive things but it
can be simple and just about you and your music. This can link back to the target audience of the magazine because people that
want to read it maybe like the simplistic life and arent interested in the fame and lavish lifestyle that surrounds pop culture.
The oppositional reading to this cover could be becoming a singer can be something with many unexpected things that happen
and youre never quite sure of your future. This is because of the mystery thats created with his clothes and facial expression.
This reading could put people off the magazine or make them weary of something to do with the genre.
4. Analysis -
The genre of this magazine cover is singer songwriter and would be considered an older style as it was made quite
a long time ago. Its target audience is people that like rock and roll music and are into the rocky, drugs culture.
The way Eric Clapton is dressed says a lot about the style and the culture at the time. The colours of his clothes are
bright and vibrant. This represents the culture because hippy and flower power was a big thing around that time.
The bright colours show that people were happy to be open and be who they were back then. This shows the
audience that being you want to be is ok and helps to make this culture seem more mainstream.
In his mouth hes got a cigarette. This can mean different things. I think it represents rebellion and being different.
Cigarettes can be seen differently by people in society. Some people agree and some disagree with them. By Eric
Clapton smoking one it almost makes it seem much cooler and popular and could easily manipulate the reader's
beliefs or opinions.
The preferred reading of this cover would be that rock is a cool thing and if youre famous you can dress like that
and perform on stage and be a legend. This links to the target audience because people who want to be rockstars
are usually young and this puts the idea in their head from a young age.
An oppositional reading of this could be that doing drugs and being part of the hippy culture is cool and popular.
This could lead to people becoming influenced and manipulated by what they see because someone famous is
doing it and they look cool.
5. Masthead - This is there
because its the name of the
magazine. It has to be on the
contents page aswell so that
the audience know it and it's
memorable. This helps it be
consistent and professional. It
also makes the magazine
more recognisable because
the audience are always
seeing it and associating it.
Main image - The main image is a mid
shot of duffy who is holding a ukulele
and looking playful aggressive. This
could signify that music isn't always fun
or that it has a darker side to it that
people arent aware of. The image
takes up the majority of the page as its
the most important feature because it
attracts attention and relates to the
target audience because they like
acoustic instruments and good singers
that are famous.Subheading - There are
black bold subheadings.
These help to show the
reader the main features of
the magazine without them
having to read lots and they
can see it easily.
Brief headings - The
headings help to give a
little more insight into
the stories without giving
to much away so that
they reader wants to
carry on into the full
story.
Photograph details - In the bottom left
there are details of the artist's name
and where and when the photos were
taken. This can give the reader any
information they want so that they
know more about the artist if they like
them.
Contents pages -
6. Masthead - This masthead is right
in the centre of the page and is in
black bold writing. This makes it
more memorable as its simple
and clean but really stands out on
the white background.
Main image - The main image is of a
woman with long hair and half her face
is being covered with it. This could
signify that she has something to hide
as it looks quite mysterious. This is
effective because it can make the
audience question things and they can
come to their own conclusions as to
what it means to them.
Subheading - This subheading is in
red which instantly makes it stand out.
This means that the audience will look
at it faster as it stands out and want to
read the information.
Cover lines/brief headings
- These give more
information into the main
stories and show important
ideas quickly so that its
easy to read.
Quote - This is there to
make the magazine seem
more personal and
relatable. The audience
feel like theyre being
talked to which makes
them feel like the
magazines for them.