Rock Sound
1. Conventions:
Rock Sound uses many conventions. For example, the
large masthead is a feature used on most magazine front covers; this means the
audience expect to see it as it may draw their attention to the magazine.
Another convention is the large central image of the band. Many magazines use
this to pull the reader in and temp them to buy the magazine. Music magazines
are most famous for doing this and, like this magazine, use the main subject as
the central image to draw in audiences. This works well as people who enjoy the
chosen artist/Band will be more attracted to the cover. The use of a flash is a
popular convention on magazines. These appear more on gossip magazines as it
allows the front cover to tease the audience with more information and in an
eye-catching way. Other features that are used so regularly they have become
standard are bar codes, dates, price, issue numbers and, due to technological
advancements, the magazines web-address. As Rock Sound magazine shows, these
are normally very small and in the corner of the page (here, they are in the
bottom right corner). This magazine includes a header at the top of the page.
This can be considered a convention as many magazines use it to give extra
information or advertise. Fro example, in this case, it advertises a free CD,
exclusive news and a chance to win a guitar (competition). This attracts
readers as it clearly shows what the magazine has to offer. Another convention
Rock Hard magazine uses is a Buzz word. It includes the word “Exclusive” in the
header. This attracts audiences as they feel they are the first ones to receive
this new knowledge. The cover also uses plugs and cover lines. These have been
represented in a list form which makes it easier for the reader to understand and
so more attractive. They also provide extra information about the magazines
content which allows the reader to decide if they want to buy the magazine or
not.
2. Representation:
The band on Rock Sound’s front cover is being
represented as the main subject of the magazine. This is because their image is
being used as the background (central image) and so dominates the page. This
attracts audiences as it stands out and will attract any fans of the band as
they will see the band image straight away.
The magazine is represented in quite a dark way.
This is because the central (dominant) image is black and white and the text
colour is white and mint green which are not considered very bold colours. This
perfectly represents the genre of the magazine (rock) as we link rock with dark
colours.
3. Audience:
The audience of the magazine is approximately 16 to
25 year olds who are interested in rock music. The magazine may attract a few
readers who are slightly older than this, but due to the variety of fun fonts,
it would attract younger/teenage readers.
4. Genre:
The genre of the magazine is rock. This is shown
through the use of dark colours and the title “Rock Sound”. It is also shown
through its content, for example, “Songs for the death” as rock is normally
linked with death. The font is bold and ‘sharp’ which represents rock as the
music, too, is very ‘sharp’. The generic convention of the front cover being
dark is used. Audiences have begun to expect rock magazines to be dark as it
represents that genre of music.
5. Style:
The front cover is very dark and ‘cold’. This
reflects rock music well and is very stylish for that genre. This is due to the
black and white central image and dull coloured text. This also links with the
typography because it is quite messy and scratchy.
The covers USP is its exclusive information on
popular rock bands/artists. We can imply this by its use of buzz words
“Exclusive” and its large central image of a band. The image implies it will
have a big article/story on the band because they dominate the page, implying
they are most important.
This cover reflects a dark personality due to its
colour scheme and genre.
6. Main Image and
Background image:
The central image/background image takes over the
whole front page and so dominates the cover, implying it is most important. The
image is a mixture of a low angled shot and an eye level shot. This is because
the band members in the background are standing straight and so looking down at
us, but the lead singer is bending down to our height, creating an eye level
shot. This implies they are superior to us but perhaps don’t want to be.
The main image is in black and white, which allows
the text on top to be seen easily and also reflects the genre. The lighting is
coming from above and is fairly low key. This has created shadowing which
emphasises the darkness and connotes the rock genre. No props are used in the
main image, just the band members. This is simple and so does makes the main
the main subject and avoids distraction.
7. Typography:
There is a variety of fonts on the front cover of
Rock Sound; however, they are all bold and slightly ‘messy’. For example, “My
Chemical Romance” is very rough and sketchy (the bands symbol) and the font
used for the plugs includes smudges and cracks. These represent the genre of
rock very well as rock, too, is scratchy and, metaphorically, may include
cracks as it is a very dark and depressing genre. This is very effective as it
should attract the audience as it reflects the genre that they are interested
in.
8. Iconography:
The central image could imply a very deep meaning.
This is because the lead singer of the band is looking straight into the
camera, and so straight into the reader’s eyes. This implies he is looking into
you which is quite intimidating. The rest of the band are looking down at the
reader which, again, is intimidating and may imply the band are more superior.
However, the artist in the small graphic feature
has his arm open to the side, implying he is open with us and so respects us.
However, he is holding a bottle of champagne which may imply he has a high
status, or due to the way he is holding the bottle, along with his sleeve of
tattoos, he may look quite violent. This reflects the genre of rock as it is
also violent.
9. Masthead:
The masthead “Rock Sound” implies the brand is rock
related and the genre is rock. It is very large and bold which makes it stand
out and so may represent the genre as standing out and being ‘wild’. This can
also be said for the brand. The masthead is white but includes a few cracks,
this may represent the brand and genre as old and so has been around for a long
time (which has created cracks), but also exciting and ‘still going strong’
(due to the white which implies freshness and immortality).
10. Colour:
The front cover uses dark colours, with the
exception of the mint green font. However, even this colour isn’t very bright
and so represents the magazine as slightly depressing and dark, therefore
implying its genre is rock. These colours link/represent rock music as both are
cold, depressing and slightly scary. This may imply the mode of address will be
fairly formal because a formal register is quite like the colour scheme –
‘sharp’ and intimidating.
Q:
1. Conventions:
Q magazine’s front cover a
large masthead which is seen as a convention, however, they have positioned it
at the bottom which contradicts the convention and most magazines have their
masthead at the top of the page. The cover includes buzz words “Exclusive” and
pull quotes/call outs “Noel was a tit. I’m very happy…” which are typical of a
magazine front page to draw attention to the magazine. The cover also includes
a flash, plugs and cover lines, again used to draw the reader’s attention to
the magazines content. There is a bar code and price which all magazines
include. These are used so often they have become standard and the reader
expects to see them. A large central image of the artist is used. This is a
convention for most music magazines as it draws attention and stands out.
2. Representation:
The artist is being
represented as almost ‘god-like’ due to the large image being a close up of his
face and his glasses reflected the rest of his band who are looking at him.
This may imply he is superior to his band and to us.
The magazine is being
represented as quite bright, due to the colour scheme of red, but also
one-sided to the artist, implying the magazine looks up to him. Apart from the
red font, the colour scheme is quite plain; implying the magazine is ‘grown-up’
and so is more directed at adults. This represents it as serious but also
amusing and can ‘make a joke’ due to the red.
3. Audience:
The audience for this
magazine is approximately 16 to 40 year olds who are interested in a range of
music. However, Q tends to focus more on indie, alternative rock music and less
on hip-hop and R&B music.
4. Genre:
Q magazine includes a
range of genres but favourites itself towards indie, alternative and pop-rock
music. It includes new releases of music as well as older bands/artists and is
not predominantly one genre. This is shown through its neutral colour scheme –
bright but quite plain – and so doesn’t represent a particular genre by using a
particular colour. It’s also represented by their slogan “Discover great music”
which doesn’t specify a genre, implying they do not focus on a certain type of
music.
This is also represented
through the typography used. The cover includes bold, plain font in
sophisticated colours like gold, black, red and white. These are very neutral
colours for a magazine as they are popular for all genres due to the colours
standing out over background images.
5. Style:
The cover is stylish as it
is quite plain and so neutral. This gives it a sophisticated represented which
implies style.
The magazines USP is
“great music” and by using a large close up of an artist, implies it has a big
story on them, giving them the USP/advantage over other magazines who do not
have the story.
The front cover reflects a
mature personality due to the use of a simple layout and plain colours.
However, the use of red adds excitement and perhaps implies humour, allowing
the magazine to not look boring.
6. Main
Image and Background image:
The main image is a close
up and eye level shot of an artist. It includes a plain background and so
focuses on the artist. His band are shown in the reflection of his glasses
which allows the audience to see the whole band but implies Liam is the leader.
The bands outfits are very winter-based due to the use of scarfs and buttoned
up coats. This may imply their style of music – comfortable and familiar. The
background colour is a gradient of grey to white. This is quite dull and so
doesn’t distract the reader from the text and central image. The image uses
artificial lighting which doesn’t cast a shadow, implying there is no darkness
in the magazines content and are not bias towards dark/rock music. The artist
is wearing a pair of reflective glasses. This may imply he is hiding behind
them, or behind is image. It also gives him mystery and so power as eyes gives
away the most emotion and we can’t see them. The setting is a studio which,
again, causes less distraction from the artist.
7. Typography:
Q’s front cover uses only
two fonts, both very simple. This makes them easy to read and allows them to
not over-power each other. However, it does use a range of colours to allow
them to stand out against each other and draw the reader’s attention to certain
words, for example, “Liam’s” in bright red. There is also a variety in font
size which defines the ‘big’ stories to the small ones. It also allows the
bigger fonts to stand out and so grab out attention. This is effective because
it catches the reader’s eye and makes them more likely to take an interest in
the magazine. The typography reflects the genre perfectly because it includes a
variety of fonts, colours and sizes similar to the magazine including a variety
of genres and so represents its diversity. The mode of address is quite
personal and friendly “Your new favourite band”. This makes the reader feel
special and loved and so will enjoy the magazine more.
8. Iconography:
By the cover only using
one image that dominates the page, it implies that the subject is very
important and powerful. It implies the artist is very well known and deserves
his position on the page. The use of a close up brings the audience closer to
the subject, this connotes that we, the audience, get to find out more about
him and so feel that we are closer to him (Personal relationship need in the
uses and gratifications theory).
9. Masthead:
The masthead is positioned
in the top left corner and due to it only being one word, is very large and in
a red box. This allows it to still stand out. It is not as traditional as most
mastheads, due to it only being one letter, but it keeps the convention of
being large and bold. Because it is very simple, it implies maturity which
reflects the magazines genre of a lot old older/’mature’ music. However, it
also contrasts with the genre because Q includes a range of genres which
implies the magazine to be quite busy, not simple, as the masthead shows.
10. Colour:
The front colour uses very
simple colours of red, black, white and gold. These colours connote maturity
and simplicity, implying the audience may be older and so more mature. However,
the red is exciting and stands out which represents the younger readers and the
‘child within the adult’ (their immature side). Because the magazine cover uses
a variety of colours, it reflects the magazines variety of music genres. The
range of colours could imply a range of ways the writers communicate with us
and so more than one mode of address.
NME:
NME front cover uses a
bold masthead at the top of the page which is a convention in magazines, as it
is a short title; it only covers half the width of the page but is still a traditional
and standard feature. The cover also has a skyline/header above the title which
many other magazines include. This draws the reader’s attention and gives them
extra information. There is a large central image of two artists (band) on the
page which is commonly used on all music magazines because it draws audience’s
attention, especially if the like the artists featured. The cover includes a
flash, cover lines and plugs which, again, are used commonly on magazines and
so is a convention. NME has also included a bar code, date, web-address and
price in the bottom right corner. Magazines include these to give the reader
the information needed to purchase the magazine and so are the most popular
convention.
2. Representation:
The artists on the cover
have been placed back-to-back. At first glance we may imply this suggests
rivalry, but due to them being in a new group, it may suggest they are
supporting each other. The magazine is representing itself as very ‘rock n
roll’ by using a lot of red font and a non-glossy cover. This gives it a 50’s
look which was the height of rock n roll.
3. Audience:
The audience for this
magazine would be 16-30/40 year olds who are interested in a range of music but
mainly indie, alternative rock.
4. Genre:
The magazine isn’t technically
genre specific, but is sided towards indie, alternative rock music. This is
shown through the range of colours – red, white, black and yellow – but red is
the dominant, implying it is slightly bias towards rock n roll as that is the
colour associated with it. The main image represents this genre by it including
two artists who are dressed in an alternative rock way – Beatles hair and
collared coats – and by them being back-to-back could imply support which many
rock n roll artists (e.g. Oasis) also use. The mode of address is friendly due
to humour “Ding! Ding!” and personal address “we’ve found for you”. This
connotes many genres which imply the magazine isn’t specific. This is also
shown through the range of font sizes and colours which represent diversity.
5. Style:
The magazine is very
stylish by it being a traditional magazine format. Its USP is the latest music
news and due to the large central image of two musicians, we can presume it
will include a large article on them which will attract many readers who are
interested in the band.
6. Main
Image and Background image:
The main image is a mid
shot of two artists. It dominates the page but the band is slightly to the
right, allowing the text to be seen clearly over the setting. They are wearing
dark clothes which doesn’t over power the text, making the cover easy to read
but still interesting. The lighting is artificial, creating no shadows which
keeps the cover neutral to all genres – not darkness to imply rock, etc.
7. Typography:
The mode of address is
personal and amusing “we’ve found for you”. The typography reflects the genre
by it being a variety of fonts/size/colour and so a variety of genres. This is
effective because it clearly shows the genre of the magazine and so attracts
certain people to it.
8. Iconography:
The picture implies the
band support each other by them resting against each other. Under the artists
the cover lines says “First major interview” this supports the bands
relationship with each other as they are new and so need to help each other.
The positioning of the image (central) connotes that the subjects are most
important and so dominate the page.
9. Masthead:
The masthead is bold and
large which implies the brand is big and powerful. It is also quite short,
perhaps linking to ‘shot and sweet’, however, underneath the masthead it states
“New Musical Express” which shows what the acronym masthead represents. This
could imply the magazine has been around for a while and so is able to shorten
the title. This reflects the genre as music has also ‘been around for a while’.
The term “New Musical” implies new music and so reflects the genre of not being
specific to a type of music but just being informative of new music.
10. Colour:
They colour scheme is red,
white, yellow and black which seem quite popular for music magazines,
especially alternative rock magazines, implying that, although this magazine
isn’t genre specific, it favourites alternative music. This may also imply the
mode of address is quite broad and there is a variety of colours and so a range
of ways the writers address the readers.
Kerrang:
1. Conventions:
The conventions of this
magazine are a large masthead at the top of the page which has become a
standard feature of magazines so the title stands out and is noticed. Also, the
use of a large central image of a musician to draw audience’s attention. There
is also a bar code, issue number, price and date in the bottom right corner.
All magazines include these and so are the biggest conventions. The cover
includes flashes and buzz words like “Exclusive” and “Plus”. These are used
regularity to attract reader’s attention, as well as plugs, cover lines and
pull quotes. These, again, attract the reader’s attention and give them more
information about the magazines content. The front page uses a header above the
masthead which draws attention by giving information about the content which
isn’t normally there (one-off).
2. Representation:
The artist on the cover is
shown in an iconic way due to us looking up at him (low angle). This represents
him as powerful and so attracts the reader to the magazine.
The magazine represents
itself as impressive and slightly boastful by it representing the artists in
such an iconic way which makes them seem very proud to show it. The use of a
fairly busy layout implies they have a lot to offer and so represents them as
very serious about music but can still have fun with it.
3. Audience:
The audience is 16 to 25
year olds who are interested in rock music.
4. Genre:
The genre of the magazine
is rock, which is shown through the content “7-day rock guide” and the graphic
feature of a hard-core rock band. It is also represented through the typography
of bold, cracking text which implies rock as it isn’t neat but is broken and
‘hard-core’. The mode of address is informative and not very personal, this may
imply the seriousness the magazine feels about their music.
5. Style:
The style is very typical
of a rock magazine, however it includes bright colours like yellow which are
eye catching and so stand out. Its USP is lots of information on rock music,
especially on “Green Day’s tour”. This reflects a very passionate personality
on rock music as it advertises so much of its content so readers know what they
are getting.
6. Main
Image and Background image:
The main image is a low
angled mid shot which makes the subject seem powerful and iconic. The lighting
has allowed a shadow to be cast under his face which implies darkness which
reflects rock. There is also light coming from behind the artist, perhaps
implying him as ‘god-like’.
7. Typography:
The mode of address is
informative. This means there is no relationship between the reader and the
writer which keeps it professional but doesn’t match the reader’s need to gain
companionship.
By the typography being
‘dirty’ and broken, it reflects the genre as rock isn’t seen as neat and tidy
but messy and broken. There is a variety of text size and font but all is bold
and so stands out and draws attention to itself. This is effective because it
clearly reflects the genre and so makes the audience aware of the magazines
purpose and draws their attention to it.
8. Iconography:
The pictures allow the
audience to relate the text to visual images which make it more appealing and
interesting. They also imply the genre of the magazine.
The positioning of the
main image connotes it is the most important subject in the magazine and so
draws the reader’s attention and any audience who are a fan of the artist.
9. Masthead:
The mast head is large and
bold so stands out which reflects how rock music stands out compared to other
genres. It also includes cracks which imply the cracks in rock music due to it
being well used.
10. Colour:
The cover uses white,
yellow, green and black which stand out and draw attention. They are not
normally related to rock but Kerrang’s signature colour is yellow and so is
branding the magazine. This relates to the formal mode of address because both aren't particularly friendly and comforting but do stand out.
Mojo:
1. Conventions:
The cover uses a large,
bold masthead which is a convention for magazines as it draws the reader’s
attention. It also includes a flash and a header with extra information in.
there is a large central image on the cover which draws attention to the
magazine as it stands out. It also includes a barcode, price and date which are
used on all magazines. There are also plugs at the bottom and top of the page
is usually place along the side of the page but having plugs is a convention to
most magazines.
2. Representation:
The band are represented
as young and new “New band of the year”, however, they re looking down at us
(low angle) which implies they are powerful and so perhaps popular. The
magazine represents itself as small by not including many plugs and cover lines
as so implying that perhaps they don’t have much content or perhaps they rely
on reputation and not advertisement.
3. Audience:
The audience for this
magazine are 16 to 25/30 year olds who are interested in rock n roll music.
4. Genre:
The genre of the magazine
is rock n roll; this is shown through the slogan “The rock n roll magazine” as
well as through the central image of a rock n roll band. It can also be
represented through the typography of bold fonts and plain colours, which
emphasis the image. The mode of address is friendly and personal “You’ve got
the band you always wanted”. This can represent rock n roll as it reflects its
friendly nature but also it cheeky tone.
5. Style:
The USP of Mojo is latest
news on rock n roll music; we can imply this as their main story is of a new
band. It reflects a music loving personality that wants to have fun and is
passionate about their music. We can tell this from the ‘wacky’ masthead but
serious and sophisticated cover line font.
6. Main
Image and Background image:
The main image is a low
angled mid shot of a band. This makes the reader look up to the band and so
have a positive view on them. The image’s setting is outside due to the
background being a cloudy blue sky. This connotes freedom which reflects the
genre of the magazine – freedom of rock n roll. The main image fades to a black
background which allows the text to be easily seen and emphasises the image.
Their costume is quite dark which allows the sky to stand out which emphasises
the concept of freedom.
7. Typography:
The mode of address used
is friendly and personal “You’ve got the band you always wanted”. The
typography reflects the genre by it being simple but fun which is similar to
rock n roll. It is also bold and large which reflects the genres popularity.
There is a small variety of font and size which may represent how rock n roll
bands are very similar to each other. However, it may also reflect is
uniqueness by it being like no other magazine. This is effective because it
draws the reader’s attention and makes them feel loved due to being personally
addressed.
8. Iconography:
The central image
represents the power of rock n roll by the band looking down at us and so
gaining power over us. By it being s central image, it connotes the subject is
superior to others. There graphic features at the top connote they are
important, as they are at the top, but not as powerful as the central image
because they are much smaller.
9. Masthead:
The masthead is very large
and is represented in a ‘wacky’ font. This represents the brand as big and
funny and so entertaining. This reflects the genre as it stands out and so is
like no other.
10. Colour:
The colours white, yellow,
gold and black are used in this cover. This connotes the magazine has both a
fun side – yellow – and a serious, informative side – white and black. This
implies the genre is, too, both serious and fun. It also implies the mode of
address has a friendly, fun tone but is serious about music and can be
informative when needed.
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