Contents Page Analysis

Contents Page 1

I particually like the layout of this contents page because it is unique - I haven't come across one like this before. The hot pink used for the sidebar clearly shows that the magazine is directed at a female audience. Each section has a title telling the reader what's inlcluded in what order. The bigger page numbers like "14" and "21" show that they are the bigger stories within the magazine which suggests that they are more popular. The image of well known star Tulisa from UK Urban group N-Dubz is the main one used - we can tell it is a professional taken picture because she is posing. Other known faces are of Tinchy Stryder and Esmee Denters each with a line telling what the magazine will include about them.

Analysing Magazine Covers 3

Smash Hits not only consists of the genre Pop but range of different types e.g. dance, rap, as it states above the masthead, therefore aiming at a wide audience of lovers of all types of genres. But because of the bright colours used and the model Britney Spears, Pop immediately comes to mind. As well as aiming it to Pop lovers, I think it is also directed to the female population - simply because of the baby pink and light yellow colour, which creates a happy/lively atmosphere, and the world wide known pop star singer Britney Spears which for some is may be an inspiration.

The straplines include other pop artists such as Kylie and Christina Millian, again appealing to anyone who is a fan of Pop. Britney Spears' clothing is a nice purple colour and is flowery which I think reflects the genre Pop because it isn't a dark colour, which may be more for the genre Rock. Along with the Pop artists, there are other known names such as Robbie Williams, P-Diddy which are mentioned in the straplines - showing the range of genres the magazine consists of.

The kicker across the page, states there are 12 posters inside, in big bold writing which immediately catches the readers' attention which could persuade them to buy the magazine for the posters inside. Not only does the kicker engage the attention of the audience but rhetorical questions too. e.g. Britney - Pop princess or drama queen? suggests that there is a debate inside about singer Britney Spears and people may buy the magazine to read about views on her. The puff 'WIN! 250+ PRIZES FOR YOU!' is another way of catching the readers' attention. There is a consistency of colours and font styles/size used giving the magazine a very professional, 'Poppy' look. I particularly like this cover I have analysed and will be using some ideas from it for my own cover.

Magazine 3

Analysing Magazine Covers 2

Magazine 2

The first thing on this magazine that captures people's attention is the image of the famous Jessie J - it is centralised and takes up majority of the cover. Evidently, the genre is Pop as the name of the mag is called Top of the Pops. The style of this masthead is glittery, pink and girly, therefore appealing to females. The target audience is more towards the girl generation because of the theme and colours used. The main used are white, purple, pink and red, creating a happy mood which reflects the genre Pop. As the colours used throughout are the same it makes it consistent. Even though the colours used are feminine, there are some males that like Pop meaning that it is not directly aimed at girls only. Other images used are of other pop stars, such as Rochelle from The Saturdays, Justin Bieber, Harry Styles and Lady Gaga. Beside/below each one has an interesting storyline to attract the audience and make them buy it to read more about each story. As there is quite a lot of text and images used it could be said that it is rather crowded but in a way the layout is still clear because nothing is difficult to read. It is very busy compared to the previous magazine cover I have analysed.

Jessie J's make-up is known to be bold - her eye make-up is black and her lipstick is bright red. Also, her earrings are red matching her lips. This suggests that not only is she musically inspiration, but also a fashion icon. Right below her face has the text in capitals "I'VE BEATEN MY HATERS!" The colour used again is girly, red, purple and pink. Jessie J is a well known artist who is known to have worked hard to get where she is right now, and the fact that she has those words right next to her could suggest that she is more inspirational than people thought. The puff used beside her again, uses the colour bright pink attracting people - "Jessie J tells her own incredible story" to me, is interesting and I personally would buy the mag to read it. The other puff used, "Get summer's hottest trend, now!" draws in the attention of those into the latest fashion which could link to pop stars as people are also interested in the clothing they wear.

Although the magazine is a very busy one, it doesn't seem to take the attention away from the stories - in fact it seems as though the magazine is packed full of gossip and therefore would appeal to those highly interested in the music industry and what celebrities get up to, such as myself. The majority of the straplines include an exclamation mark which I personally think makes it more interesting. "Your most embarrassing body worries SOLVED" involves the audience as it is directed to them ("your"). I particularly think the connotation of the titles draws in the attention of people because they aren't boring - they're short and snappy.

Analysing Magazine Covers

Magazine 1



























The genre of this music magazine is Pop and the image of style icon Katy Perry portrays this. Also, the text under her name which is big and bold says "Inside The Court Of The New Queen Of Pop" which lets the audience that the magazine will include information and maybe an interview about her inside, which may attract the audience to buy it. The target audience for this particular magazine is for those who enjoy the genre Pop and the use of the colour pink in the background clearly shows that the audience is for females.

The main and only image used is Katy Perry which is big and centralised,  it could not also attract Pop lovers but fashion lovers too, as people may be interested in the clothes and accessories she is wearing. Also, because she is a huge global star, she can be seen as inspiring to young females and therefore would lead them to buying this magazine.

The name of this magazine is "Billboard" and it is a American magazine, where a new edition is released every week. The general target audience is those who love music and this one is specifically aimed at Pop sensations. As the image of Katy Perry covers the masthead, it doesn't affect it because although the whole word is not shown, you can guess the name of it. The straplines used show what else is included in the magazine is aligned on the left side of the page and is clear to read. The straplines include stories about Taylor Swift and Mike Posner which clearly relates to the target audience and the music genre of Pop.

Preliminary Task

I took several pictures that was appropriate for a front cover of a school magazine and chose this one as I liked it best. Then to create the cover, I used Photoshop.

I kept it consistent by using the same colour for the backgrounds and writing. I also added straplines to show what would be included inside.

Here is my final preliminary cover.

Preliminary Task Research

To help me complete this task, I looked on the Internet for ideas of different magazine layouts.

This front cover caught my eye because you can clearly see what it is about - Science. Also, the people in the background are blurred out so the boy working in the foreground is the focus. The colours used are consistent - the three main are red, white and brown. The kicker shows clearly what is included inside the magazine.

This is another front cover of a school magazine that attracted me, mainly because of the image used. The students all look surprised in a good way and the text clearly shows what it is about - the improvement in A Level results. However, the colours used could be better as they are not that exciting. On the other hand, nothing clashes and none of the text is difficult to read.

Production Schedule I

I have produced a production schedule to help me keep on track with what I need to complete by which date so that I do not fall behind.

16/01/2012

Make an account and create a blog for my music magazine. Personalise the theme and layout/background. Say what I will be doing in this task and explain preliminary task. 

18/01/2012

Begin preliminary task. Research (look at school magazine covers). Take pictures for front cover of a school magazine. 

20/01/2012

Complete preliminary task and talk about it.

23/01/2012

Choose a genre for my music magazine. Research - find two front covers, two contents pages, two double page spreads of that genre and begin to analyse each. Talk about: genre, audience, image and language.

25/01/2012

Complete analysis of front cover 1.

27/01/2012
Complete analysis of front cover 2.

30/01/2012
Complete analysis of contents page 1.

01/02/2012
Complete analysis of contents page 2.

03/02/2012
Complete analysis of double page spread 1 and 2.

06/02/2012
Look at different techniques photographers use e.g. depth of field, perspective, rule of third, multiple focus. Research - find own images and talk about what techniques have been used.

08/02/2012
Take own images for practise. Then edit using editing software.

10/02/2012
Research into my target audience using the Internet. Look at age and the types of colours etc that are used within Pop magazines.


13/02/2012
Produce mock ups for front cover, contents and double page spread.

15/02/2012

Take pictures - enough for all three pages.


17/02/2012 

Choose suitable ones for each page, taking in account lighting, composure and angle.


20/02/2012

Begin front cover. Show stages/improvements.

22/02/2012

Continue front cover. Show stages/improvements.


24/02/2012 

Continue front cover. Show stages/improvements. 


27/02/2012
Continue front cover. Show stages/improvements.  



29/02/2012
Complete front cover. Upload final.

02/03/2012
Begin contents page. Show stages/improvements.

05/03/2012
Continue contents page. Show stages/improvements.  



07/03/2012
Continue contents page. Show stages/improvements.  



09/03/2012
Continue contents page. Show stages/improvements. 

12/03/2012
Complete contents page. Upload final.

14/03/2012
Begin double page spread. Show stages/improvements.

16/03/2012
Continue double page spread. Show stages/improvements.  


19/03/2012
Continue double page spread. Show stages/improvements.

21/03/2012
Continue double page spread. Show stages/improvements. 


22/03/2012
Continue double page spread. Show stages/improvements.

26/03/2012
Complete double page spread. Upload final.

Welcome to my blog!

For this foundation production task, I will produce the front cover, contents page and double page spread for a new music magazine. To help me plan it, I will produce mock ups and a production schedule. I will also carry out research to help me complete this task. Each week I will create a new post to show what I have done to change/develop my work to show my progress.


I will begin by completing a preliminary task which involves producing the front cover for a new college magazine using a medium shot of a student.