LIIAR analysis of contents page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Language- This magazine contents page is taken from another Rolling Stones magazine. On the contents page the audience are presented with more than one image. The first been a thumbnail image of Beyoncé who again is pop artist, this image is the smaller of the two and reflects one of the articles within the magazine; the image also acts as an anchor pulling the audience’s attention to that specific page within the magazine. The other image is in black and white and reflects the era in which it’s from therefore representing the vintage style of article. The rest of the contents page follows a colour scheme fitting with the vintage image, the only colouring on the contents page is the issue number at the top of page and the page numbers of the other articles within in magazine. The only other colouring is in Beyoncé’s image and the website address for Rolling Stones webpage, the colouring draws the audience’s attention to those specific parts of the magazine and is done so that the main image in the centre of the contents page doesn’t take the audience’s attention from the contents of the rest of the magazine.

Another typical feature of a contents page is to have a quote from the main feature of the magazine; this is usually placed within the main image on the contents page to draw the audience’s attention to the main feature and therefore getting them interested within the article to read it. Usually the quote is quirky and suggestive making the audience attention wonder, this is done so that the audience will read the article to find out that the quote was about. On this contents page the quote is placed above the image of Beyoncé therefore drawing attention to that specific feature within the magazine.

Also the contents page features and summary of the articles, usually a brief outline of what they include and placed in a smaller font then the name of the feature which is placed in bold along with the page number. By placing the name and the summary in different fonts the audience’s attention is again diverted to the name of the article and then the summary below or next to it.

Institution- Wenner media is in charge of the production process of Rolling Stones. The founder of the Rolling Stones is Jann Wenner who is also the head of Wenner media. The connection between the production and the editor of the magazine gives the magazine a more professional look and the magazine will be more detailed in terms of getting information right. Because the editor has such a close relationship with the magazine the audience know that they’re guaranteed a high quality magazine that will be worth what they pay. Wenner media is also the weekly publisher of Men’s Journal and US weekly. The target audience of all Wenner Media’s productions are different and this is key to their success, making sure they only produce one music magazine so that their audience don’t cross over and become their own rival. Because they have different audiences to target at all their magazines are different and therefore make for more of a successful publishing in terms of the amount they sell and the audience they reach.

Ideology- The magazine contents page reflects the music magazine as a well respect music magazine. The genre of the magazine isn’t established much in this issue of the magazine, the use of Beyoncé suggests a pop or R&B feel how the vintage photograph suggests over wise. This can be used to attract a wider audience to the magazine by using more than one artists from different genres can entice a wider potential audience.

The magazine itself suggests an audience with class and a passion for music. The colouring of the magazine suggests simplicity but the idea that ‘less is more’.  The colouring of the contents page suggests that the magazine is just that, simple yet gets to the point and in a way that their audience will appreciate and like. The magazine also suggests that the audience appreciate an alternate music genre then the one which they mostly prefer, the magazine suits to all genre types as long as their audience is passionate about music.

 

Audience- This issue of Rolling Stones magazine is aimed at a wider audience with the use of Beyoncé on the contents page suggests that there is an article dedicated to the pop/ R&B genre but with the use of the vintage image might suggests someone who has a passion for the older music rather than new material. Rolling Stones magazine like to target a wider audience and have therefore gone with the idea of including artists from other genres of music to entice a wider audience into this issue of the magazine.
Rolling Stones magazine published a table of results based on adults over the age of 18 giving us the idea that there magazine is aimed at 18 plus and therefore having to cater for older tastes. From these results 61.3% of their audience were male with a median age of 34. From the test it also indicates that 73.9% of their target audience were white rather than other nationalities. The test also revealed that 72% of their audience were employed and therefore can afford to buy the magazine which is published every 2 weeks at an average price of around £2.50 ($4.05).  (http://www.srds.com/mediakits/rollingstone/demographics.html)

 

Representation- The featured artists in this issue are represented well, for example Beyoncé is seen performing and therefore indicates her passion for performing to her fans, her facial expressions also indicate this as you can see the energy she is putting into her performance.

The other image of Johnny Carson shows him dancing again this is a positive image and therefore shows how Johnny Carson entertained people and made them happy. This reflects the innocence of the image and gives a positive image of the magazine.

LIIAR analysis of a front cover

Language- This magazine’s masthead is covered by the stars hair, this is typical of this magazine who generally do this by doing this it indicates that the magazine is well known for not all the title to be seen. The use of the colour red connotes a passion for music and therefore a passion for the magazine, also the red font is bright and bold and with a black outline makes the masthead stand out that little bit more.  Also the magazines masthead is positioned right across the top of the magazine making it dominate across the page and therefore eye catching to the audience.

The image on the splash follows the colour scheme of the magazine with the artist dressed in black and white which goes with the white background and the black font. The slogan ‘Justin Bieber Super Boy’ also fits within the colour scheme but if made to stand out more using a larger font as well as being in bold. The red writing of the artists name reflects back to the magazine masthead and therefore the audience relate the artist to this particular issue within the magazine. The image on the splash is again positioned in the centre with the cover lines been around the image, this shows that the artist on the splash is this issues big interview or article within the magazine. Also the way in which the artist is looking suggests a seductive look and draws the female audience in a lot more, this creates a wider audience for the magazine.

The left third of the magazine is used as a way to advertise the main feature of the magazine, the fact that font is large will make for a better left third for the magazine as this is the part of the magazine that will be seen most on the news stand. On the front cover there is also a flash to adverts a return of a band, this is often used on a magazine front cover to draw the audience’s attention to a particular section within the magazine; it also attracts the audience’s eye to that section making it stand out more. The full front cover follows a house style of black, red and white just like the masthead, this makes the magazine more attractive because of the use of just a couple of colours rather than loads. The house style gives the magazine a more professional feel and therefore makes the magazine more attractive. Also the fonts within the splash are all consistent and this also adds to the professional look and again makes the magazine more appealing.

Institution- Wenner media is in charge of the production process of Rolling Stones. The founder of the Rolling Stones is Jann Wenner who is also the head of Wenner media. The connection between the production and the editor of the magazine gives the magazine a more professional look and the magazine will be more detailed in terms of getting information right. Because the editor has such a close relationship with the magazine the audience know that they’re guaranteed a high quality magazine that will be worth what they pay. Wenner media is also the weekly publisher of Men’s Journal and US weekly. The target audience of all Wenner Media’s productions are different and this is key to their success, making sure they only produce one music magazine so that their audience don’t cross over and become their own rival. Because they have different audiences to target at all their magazines are different and therefore make for more of a successful publishing in terms of the amount they sell and the audience they reach.

Ideology- By having a colour scheme the magazine looks more professional, it gives a relaxed feel. The masthead is in red the connotation of the colour red could be passion, maybe passion for the magazine itself or passion for its audience. There is one main image highlighting the main feature of the magazine. In the image the artist looks relaxed and comfortable in his surroundings giving the reader a relaxed feel about the magazine. The artists style looks very rock and roll and a little edgy. He also looks like a very typical teenaged boy, hair a bit wild and his style really laid back. His eyes are what attract attention first about the image, it’s almost like a seductive look between the artist and the reader, it gives a personal connection which maybe not necessarily is there but that’s the feel it gives. The artists name is also in red; this would attract the reader’s attention and relates back to the magazine’s title. The words ‘Super Boy’ are a larger font then the rest of the text on the cover, this is to highlight his status in the music industry and can also be used a sell line. The artist’s clothes also fit in with the colour scheme which makes it more relevant that he’s in the magazine.

Audience- This issue of Rolling Stones magazine is clearly aimed at the pop culture and fans with a particular interest in the pop genre. The first indication of this is that they have Justin Bieber who is a very successful artist within that genre and he is often the reference for anything to do with that genre of music. However like usual with Rolling Stones magazine they like to target a wider audience and have therefore gone with the idea of including bands and artist from other genres of music to entice a wider audience into this issue of the magazine.

Rolling Stones magazine published a table of results based on adults over the age of 18 giving us the idea that there magazine is aimed at 18 plus and therefore having to cater for older tastes. From these results 61.3% of their audience were male with a median age of 34. From the test it also indicates that 73.9% of their target audience were white rather than other nationalities. The test also revealed that 72% of their audience were employed and therefore can afford to buy the magazine which is published every 2 weeks at an average price of around £2.50 ($4.05).  (http://www.srds.com/mediakits/rollingstone/demographics.html)

Representation- On the front cover of the magazine is the featured artist ‘Justin Bieber’ who again is known as a huge pop music recording artist. In this issue Rolling Stones asked him about this then new album and therefore promoted the album. On the front cover of the magazine they have made him look edgy but casual at the same time giving him a relaxed feel. The same his eyes look seductively at the camera could be a way of enticing a wider audience ago the female population and again the look does attract the audience’s attention from a very first glance. This issue reflects the edgy side to the artist as the article inside is about more controversial topics such as drugs, sex etc. and therefore the way in which he is dressed reflects a side to the artist that hasn’t been show before, he represents a more mature, sophisticated, well respected artist and the words ‘Super Boy’ can also link to the way his musical career is and the way he lives his life. 

Music Magazine Conventions

Masthead- The masthead is the title of a magazine, this is usually displayed in the top left hand corner. The masthead is positioned here because when the magazine is placed on magazine rack it's easy to see the title, as the left third is always showing.

Left Third- The left third is the third section positioned on the magazine, the left third shows informtaion about the magazine issue, such as; interviews and other sections included in the magazine. The left third is always shown on magazine stand, this is so that the reader or potential buyer can see what is included in the magazine.

Price- The cost of the magazine.

Date- The date is usually positioned at the top of the magazine, this is too show which issue the magazine is and what date the product was bought, it's also shows when the magazine was on sale.

Issue Number- The issue number counts the amount of magazines which that company or brand have issued. i.e. Issue 1 would be the first magazine produced.

Barcode- The barcode is used to identify information about the product to which it's attached.

Reader: A reader acts as an attention grabber, it's usually one word/ phrase that catches a readers or potential readers attention. Usually a selling point for most magazines.

Main Feature: Headline:- A headline or main feature is usually printed in bold writing, it can often sumarise the main point or main feature. It is often bold and in bright colours to grab the attention of the reader.

Subtitle- This is a smaller headline which summarises the main feature or headline, often in a smaller text under the headline.

Smaller features- Features included in the magazine, often stories or interviews.

Images- The front page of a magazine often features one large image surrounded by smaller images, the larger image is often relating to the most intresting or the main story in the magazine. This image often sells the magazine as it stands out most on the front cover, it helps read the story for you. The front cover is usually full of Close Ups or Medium Close Ups because it connatates the feeling of a feature.

Font- This is the style and size of the writing. This is important as the size and style of a font usually attracts the attention of the reader.

Colour- Some magazines have a specific colour scheme, a colour scheme can help identify the magazine. The colour or style of a magazine helps to make a magazine unique and often helps with the selling of a magazine by attracting the publics attention.

Graphics- Graphics can often higlight feature (s) by drawing the attention of the reader to that specific feature or image, whatever the graphic is highlighting.

Offers/adverts Blurb- Banner style shape which usually shows offers or promotions and sometime free products. 

Credit- Usually found on the content page, highlighting a person, maybe a model or the editor of the magazine.

Skyline- Often above the masthead showing what the magazine features. Sometime wrote on a banner style layout.

Splash- The splash is just the magazine's front page.

Anchorage- The use of a font or image to interpurate the meaning of it. i.e. a single rose could connatate love etc.

Teller- It tells you what the feature is about such as a subtitle.

Kicker- Like a navigator to navigate you to a certain page, such as 'Turn to page 32'

Screamers- A quotation which stands out on the page, usually in big writing to attract you to the quote.

Flash- A graphic which attracts you to something.

Thumbnail Images: Smaller images which relate to a certain feature within the magazine.

Brief

The front page, contents page and a double page spread of a new music magazine. All images and text used must be original, produced by you-minimum of four images.