Research: Annotating existing pages

  

Front page Evaluation

By analysing all three front covers, we can tell that they all follow the same codes and conventions, yet have their own way, and their own style of setting these out. For example my first analysis from a music magazine named Billboard, had their own style to match their brand identity. This is due to their masthead containing the three colours that would be recognisable to viewers of the billboard magazine. The second front page analysis also had done the same thing, as they have their main 3 colours on their front page which consists of red white and black. This would be recognisable to the audience due to the brand identity always using these colours. This also is the same matter for the third front page analysis, a magazine called Vibe. This was due to them using their 3 main colours which consist of red white and black, the same as the Q magazine. This gives the magazine a more advantage, as it makes them more recognisable to the audience. All of these front pages however contain the name of the artists in the image as the second largest typography on the page, after the masthead. These were set in colours that would make them stand out so it could catch the audience’s attention.

I have also noticed that along all three of the front pages, they have their main images, covering the masthead across the top. This was mainly done to make the image the centre of attention, as this would draw attention into the audience, if they are a popular fan of the artist(s) at the front of the page. I have also noticed that all three images are set in a position in line with the male gaze. This is due to them all posing sexually, looking into the camera, and positioned in a lady like, sexual way. This is then making them look as if they are weak and vulnerable to the men. Also due to their amount of clothing, this makes them appealing to the men in the audience, and makes females set their dreams and aspirations to look like these female artists. These photos also contain the hyper reality effect, as these photos are all made to look perfect to the audience. Looking at the images on the front page, they all also follow the codes and conventions at the fact the image on the front had the camera angle from a medium close up to a close up, as this is the usual codes and conventions as any other type of camera shot wouldn’t be appropriate for a front page magazine, but may be appealing to other pages.

Other codes and conventions that all front pages contained where the fact they all had bar codes followed by the price and issue date, and the date of the magazine. This was either set on the bottom left or right, or the top left hand side of the page. This was following the codes and conventions within the magazine. Also noticing that they all contained different buzz words that were written in different typography style and sizes, in order to draw the audiences attention into the certain words that they publishers wished.

However the differences within these front pages was the way they had set out their information on their front covers. This includes how they set out their featured stories, and what sort of buzz words they were using, in order to attract their target audiences. For example my first analysis of the Billboard magazine contained many featured stories including many different artists that may appeal to the audience as the magazine contains stories and articles of their favourite artists. Whereas the second front page analysis that consist of Adele on the front, contained featured stories, yet didn’t have much stories. Although, this magazine did have a list of artists along the side, which is appealing to customers as they would enjoy reading articles about a list of their favourite artists. Whereas the third front page analysis hardly had much writing on the front cover. This may be a good idea also as it gets the audience wondering what else is contained inside the magazine, which is also another way into getting the audience to buy the magazine.

There were also some magazines that contained banners at the tops and bottom of the page, whereas some of them didn’t, which is also following codes and conventions of a front page magazine.

What I have learnt is that all front pages of magazine include the same codes and conventions, but they all have their own way in presenting their information, styling their images, and the amount of information they include on the front covers. Every magazine has their own way and own style in presenting their front pages, as this is the most important page as it’s the first page that readers see, and get attracted to in order for them to purchase this. All magazines have their own styles due to all magazines have different target audiences, which therefore leads them having to set out their own ways of meeting the codes and conventions of a front page magazine.

I have also learnt that without these codes and conventions being followed, it may be difficult for audiences to understand that this was a front cover, as the public are used to seeing front pages that follow the codes and conventions. If codes and conventions are followed, this may increase the amount of people that buy your magazine.

I have also learnt that due to the fact the front covers are the most important; they must contain many things that are eye catching and appealing to their audiences. In particular for my target audience, I have learnt that females in particular are instantly attracted to images that contain theory. This includes theories such as the This includes Hyperreality, which is a theory is created by Jean Baudrillard who suggested that there is no such thing as reality anymore, due to the fact images are being edited and manipulated, in which then they lead to being in line with the Male Gaze. This is a theory created by Laura Mulvey, who suggests that audience view characters from the perspective of a heterosexual male. This is where women, are positioned in a way there are represented to look weak, submissive and vulnerable, along with childish, which is something that catches the male attention, which then leads to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which is a theory created by Ibrahim Maslow. His theory suggests that within magazines, the audience have ‘dreams and aspirations’ to be like the images within a magazine, due to the fact they contain these two theories.

This is then something that I have learnt that would be appealing to my demographic, due to the fact women are inspired by images within the magazine, so therefore by including these theories when constructing my magazine, will ensure I am using the correct mode of address to appeal to my target audience.

Ways in which this magazine can help me make my decision for my front page is to add in more of my brand colours, which is what these three pages lack. Another way in which they could help is by using the hyper reality affect, to enable the image to look ideally ‘perfect’, in order to attract more people to buy my magazine. These magazines also include different typographies in different sizes and colours .Then then helped me make my decision for the typography. Another way in which it can help me is by using the correct mode of address to appeal to my intended audience. Such as my magazine is based on the RnB genre, so therefore by reinforcing a stereotype such as containing the Black Caribbean ethnic group in my magazine is something that society is used to (hegemonic values), so therefore would instantly know that it is an RnB magazine. This has enabled me to make a decision on what to include on my magazine front cover.

I have also learnt the different ways in which they have created a mode of address suitable for their intended audience. This includes the different languages they have used, the semiotics and iconographies. One of my existing pages that I have included represents semiotics in relation to music, by having a mini play button. This represents to the audience that this is a music magazine, which gives correct mode of address to readers. My examples of existing pages are all aimed towards the age category of early twenties to late early thirties. Therefore, they have included the correct language appropriate to this age group, such as slang, and colloquial languages. This then relates to my magazine, as I have a similar target audience, and therefore helps me make the decision on what languages to use within my magazine, in order to create the correct mode of address, and to appeal to my target audience.

Contents page

Contents Page Evaluation

By analysing all 3 contents pages, I have learnt that they all follow the same codes and conventions, but all have their own ways and styles in presenting them, to have unique ways in bringing the audience into buying their magazine.

 For example, the first content analysis is fairly unique compared to the others. This was due to its unique title and the way it stood out against the background. The main focus of this contents page was the image, as the artist Ciara was positioned in a sexual manor, with her legs in the air, lying in a unique place and position. This also puts her in line with the Male Gaze, meaning this image would be appealing to majority of the male population. She may also be a model that majority of females want to be like, and aspire to be like her.

This then could relate to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory, where the females could have ‘dreams and aspirations’ to look and be like this image, which is a part of his theory. Also identifying that this contents page, along with the third page, which belongs to ‘Vibe’ magazine, does not contain considerable amount of information, compared to the second contents page, which belongs to NME. This may be due to them being owned by two different brands. The image within the first contents page also contains a sense of Hyper reality effect, which was a theory created by Jean Baudrillard,  who suggests in his theory that photos in magazines, have a sense of them looking hyper real. The page also has included the use of Uses and Gratification, as there were great deals of information, as it is telling the reader the featured stories and what pages they are on. Entertainment, as it shows a link to a website where the audience can access entertainment such as competitions, social interaction, as the website link can allow the audience to interact and share views with each other, and personal Identification where the audience are able to recognise themselves on the page, through the use of the mode of address that is used on the page.

Looking at the second contents page analysis, this set out was slightly different, as this contents page contained much more information compared to my first analysis, and second. This page also consists of different images, where text and images together is the centre of attention. This contents page also contains subheading for different pages in different categories, to make this page easier to guide the reader throughout the magazine. The image on this page is quite different as the first analysis, was a sexual image, which was in line with the Male Gaze, whereas this image contains very little theory from the Male Gaze, and also the Hyper Reality Effect, where we can tell airbrushing has taken place. The theory suggested from ma Maslow, called Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, of an inspiring artist, that has been presented on the page due to her success, this may inspire females to want to be like her, which relates to a section in Maslow’s theory called ‘Dreams and Aspirations’.

The image is also placed separately from the text, whereas the first analysis had the photo as the whole background, with the text placed on the top. This shows their different ways of conveying the codes and conventions, fit for their brand image. As this page contains a lot more text it has a great deal of Information from the Uses and Gratification theory. It also includes entertainment, such as the games, competitions, social interaction by enabling readers to communicate through their website, and finally personal identification, through the use of the language of the page, the artists that are being presented, and the mode of address, that can allow readers to relate themselves to these things.

With the third analysis this page was slightly different, however they did still convey codes and conventions. The main centre of attention on this page was to figuring out what the image actually meant, which would result in the audience purchasing the magazine, to discover what the image is about. The image does contain the Hyper Reality effect, as we can see airbrushing has taken place, the image has been changed to a black and white effect. This image is also conveying the fact he looks like he has the female attention, which involves Maslow’s theory, as men would want to have ‘dreams and aspirations’ like him. This page also has the same typography and style as the first analysis, as they are from the same magazine, Vibe. This page also consists of very little writing, which would question the readers as to what else is inside the magazine, leading them to carry on reading. This highlights, it has used less of the theory of Uses and Gratification, as it lacks much Information. However it does contain Entertainment, through the use of the website which is stated on the page, along with Social interaction. It does also contain Personal Identification through the use of mode of address, how this can relate to the reader, leading them to feel the magazine represents them.  However, there are signs of the use of the Male Gaze, as it shows a woman represented with less power, who is standing behind the male, reaching for his heart, this then gives him the power, which is in line with the Male Gaze, as he looks as if he has control over her, making her weak and vulnerable. q The colours within the page consist of black and white, and grey, which were all dull colours, and may have also matched with the brands identity, which is conveying codes and conventions. By having the heart red, draws the reader’s attention into this image, making this the first thing to look at. Whereas the second analysis, there are a lot of things to look at within the page, as everything is set out to be easily readable for the audience, along with an image.

What I have learnt about contents pages is that they all follow the same codes and conventions. However, have their own individual ways of representing them. These code and conventions all contain images, but have different ways in which they present these within the page, subheadings for different categories on the page, however some are more clearly presented than others. They also have different typography’s on the page, and this looks as if it’s clearly done to make the page look more designed, appealing and attracting, and to make the typography look less boring and more eye catching. It also depends on the gender of the audience, in which type of typography style to include. To identify what type of typography is for a certain gender is by telling which one curly or round edged for the girls and capital letters with square edges for the boys. I have also noticed the use of a lot of stereotypes within all three pages. This was due to the fact that young women are stereotyped to be typically in line with the Male Gaze, which stereotypes women into being weak, vulnerable and submissive. These magazines have also used a sense of semiotics. For example in my second analysis, it shows a symbol of the ‘Q’ sign on several sections on the page, representing the brands identity. Iconography has also taken place throughout all three pages. All models in the image have meaning behind them, and have in their own ways in representing them. For example the image in my third analysis, shows Kanye West, who is being touched by a women. This is then giving meaning to the image, such as him having more power over the women, and this may give a meaning behind Kanye West as a person, which relates to iconography.

I have also learnt that contents pages also can include other things that the audience may be interested in, such as quizzes and competitions that they may be interested in, and can take part in, where they may win prizes, which is a part of the Entertainment in the Uses and Gratification theory. 

This may also be appealing to the audience as it gives them a chance to win big prizes, and works as synergy, as the magazine is helping to promote entertainment, and the entertainment is helping make the brand name go viral. There are also mini descriptions along the bottom attached to a photo of a gig that has happened in the past. This little bit of information may give descriptions of the band/artist, where this gig took place, and other facts and information about this, which is drawing the audience’s attention to carry on reading, and find an article to this particular gig. However this may also be images of other things, other than gigs.

 How they have been constructed to create a mode of address suitable for their intended audience is shown in many ways. Firstly, through their mode of address and their type of language that has been used, is one way in which it has been suitable for their intended audience. For example, the ‘Vibe’ magazine my first analysis, shows the use of language that such as ‘Sexy stars’, which is a use of language suggested for a younger audience, preferably females. Ways in which I will use this research to inform my own choices with the mode of address will be by using a great deal of mode of address to draw in my target audience, which are females age 16-24. I would have to use words as ‘hot, sexy, party, attractive etc.’ also by mentioning artists appealing to their age demographic, such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Adele, and also including some male artists such as Kanye West. These are all RnB artists, so this will be recognisable to the audience, as this type of mode of address is related to my intended target audience.

 How analysing these helped me make my decision for my magazine is by seeing how much information to include, as shown the two I have analysed from ‘Vibe’ magazine contains lessinformation and images, whereas the other one contains too much information and lacks pictures, which is a magazine don’t by the NME. This helps me as I have decided to include an equal amount of text and images, and to ensure I include majority of words that sound out. It also helped me choose my colour scheme, as these three do not contain much colours from their brand image.

Therefore this allowed me to make my decision to base my contents page on my brand colours.

Double page spread

Double Page Spread Analysis

By analysing all 3 different double page spreads from different magazines, we can tell they all have different styles, and are not all the same. Although all double page spreads included the same things, they had their own way of presenting them onto their double page spread. The first double page spread about an article of the singer Alexandra Burke was set out as an image covering one whole page, and the other half being the article for the double page spread, followed by another photo. The text for this double page spread was also separated into three columns, which shared similarities within the other two double page spreads. The difference within the second double page spread was the fact that the article was made to look as if it was going across one page, as if it was joint. This was done by placing the ‘USA’ sign across both pages, causing this to look like one page. The image also was made to go across the page, to hide the fact it was going across both pages.

At the beginning of the article, there are usually big capital letters to show the readers where the article begins. On the first double page spread, this didn’t have one, however they did have the first paragraph highlighted in bold, which would direct readers that this is where the article starts. The second double page spread had a capital letter ‘D’, which was written in girly typography, which would also direct the reader to the beginning of the article. On the third double page spread, this had shown a large letter L in the middle of the article. This was slightly different to the rest of the double page spreads, but still indicates that the beginning of the article is on that page. Also, the first and second double page spread show similarities, due to them both having one page covered by the an image, whereas the second double page spread is positioned slightly different.

My third analysis for the double page spread has an article that is written into two columns, whereas the usual contents pages follow the codes and conventions of having a minimum of three columns. This is typically done to make the article not look as long to read, as some viewers may think its quite time consuming to read such long articles. However this may be an article that fans may be willing to read such a long article for, simply due to the publishers targeting this type of article to fans of Lady Gaga, reassuring them that they know this article is going to be read.

What I have learnt with double page spreads is that they all contain the same codes and conventions, but have their own ways in presenting them within their pages. All images have the hyperreality effect, which are codes and conventions for majority of pages on my magazines. I have also learnt that they all follow the conventions of having three columns of writing for their articles. This is done to make the article to look much shorter than it originally is, so the reader does not think it looks to long to read. Some double page spreads are made out to look as if they are going across two pages, whereas some are only made to look as if they are only going across the one page, such as my second double page spread that is shown in my example.

I have also learnt that majority of double page spreads that are from music magazines contain quotes from a song that the article is about, to give the reader a feel and understanding of who the artists is, as some people are aware of the quote of the song. This may also help the audience become more familiar with who the artists is, and this is the idea of synergy, where the magazine is helping the artist become more recognisable and the artists are helping the magazines be purchased more by the audience.

Ways in which this has helped me make my decision is by noticing that these three pages together lack images for reader to see. It would be useful for the audience to view many images as well as reading the text. This then helped me make my decision in including more images on my double page spread. It also helped me make a decision to include a bigger and bolder heading and subheading. This was simply because these pages have either one or the other than stand out on the page. Also, all double page spreads have the capital letter at the start of the article quite large, and a different typography. This enabled me to make my decision on what different typographies I should choose.

I have also learnt the different ways in which the magazine was constructed to create a mode of address suitable for a specific audience. One of the different ways included the ways in which the different theories were used. This includes Hyperreality, which is a theory is created by Jean Baudrillard who suggested that there is no such thing as reality anymore, due to the fact images are being edited and manipulated, in which then they lead to being in line with the Male Gaze. This is a theory created by Laura Mulvey, who suggests that audience view characters from the perspective of a heterosexual male. This is where women, are positioned in a way there are represented to look weak, submissive and vulnerable, along with childish, which is something that catches the male attention, which then leads to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which is a theory created by Ibrahim Maslow. His theory suggests that within magazines, the audience have ‘dreams and aspirations’ to be like the images within a magazine, due to the fact they contain these two theories.

There is also the theory of the Uses and Gratification, a theory created by Katz and Blumler. This theory suggests that within a magazine, they should contain Information, Entertainment, Social Interaction and Personal Identification, and often Exchange.  There was also different ways in which semiotics and iconography were used. There is also a fact of different stereotypes used in order to create a mode of address suitable for a intended audience, such as using Black Caribbean ethnic artists in R&B magazines, which is a stereotype that R&B magazines, usually contain this ethnic group. By including this within a magazine, this would help attract your target audience easier, due to the fact these stereotypes are commonly used, due to hegemonic values in society. This is one way in which a magazine can create a mode of address suitable for a target audience of people who like RnB music. This helps me make my decision for my magazine due to the fact my magazine is aimed at people who like RnB music, and so therefore I should include stereotypes in my magazine, in order to attract my target audience quicker.

There were also different iconographies and semiotics used to create a mode of address to an intended audience. For example in my analysis on my existing pages, I have noticed towards the end of the articles on the double page spread, there are different semiotics that are placed there that, that are there to not only tell the reader when the article ends, but to however create a sense of the mode of address, such as a squared block which contain the colours red, blue and white (on my second analysis), containing a link to the brands website. This is showing the mode of address, due to the fact this semiotic is trying to get the message across to the fans of ‘Florence’ due to the fact she made it in America, which is why the colour of this block contains these colours. These show that every magazine has their own way in creating a mode of address suitable for their intended audience.

This research was helpful with help me make my own choices for my magazine, and how I should create my mode of address for my intended audience. It has taught me that majority of female magazines, such as my own, prefer to read magazines that contain theories, such as the Male Gaze, Hyperreality and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. By including these theories, I have learnt that more of my target audience, would be attracted to my magazine, as women appeal to these theories due to them wanting to be the images that contain these theories, they have dreams and aspirations to be like them. This therefore shows I will use my knowledge from this research, and apply it when I construct my own magazine.