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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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