analysis of 3 potential competitors

7/30/2019 Analysis of 3 Potential Competitors

1/9

Analysis of Three

Potential Competitors

By Corey Plant


2/9

Contents

1. Kerrang! Front Cover

2. Rock Sound Front Cover

3. Revolver Front Cover

4. Kerrang! Contents Page

5. Rock Sound Contents Page

6. Kerrang! DPS

7. Rock Sound DPS


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Colour Scheme:

In this particular issue of the rock magazine Kerrang! The colour scheme is white, yellow, black and green. The

black and white are typical to the rock and metal genre, however the yellow and green are not, the yellow

connotes other important articles within the magazine, for example RATED! 8-PAGE PULL-OUT! and RARE

SIGNED BIRTHDAY BOOTY!

However, by using the colour green, the designer is targeting a very particular audience; Green Day fans, this

colouring reinforces the main article and whom the article is on. On one hand, this could cause a sense of

familiarity with the Green Day fan zone, and could connote the main articles subject.

GREEN DAY is in the same type of font as KERRANG! this implies that the main article is just as important as

the magazine itself; additionally it gives consistency of the magazine which can help the reader to relate to it as

they become familiar with the magazine layout. Furthermore, by using the same font, the designer reinforces

what magazine this is.

Photography

Through the use of this type of

photography it connotes the

rock and metal genre. This midshot shows the front man of

Green Day watching the

audience at a live show.

This type of photography

creates intimacy for the reader,

this intimacy is reinforced as it

takes away the stylised image of

the band, and it makes the band

seem more connected to their

audience, make them morerealistic compared to a posed

image.

Conversely, the low angle shot

could, on one hand, suggest a

god-like nature and how fans

worship the frontman. On the

other hand it signifies the idea

of being in a crowd at the live

show itself, this reinforces the

intimacy the audience feel.

Overall Look

The overall look of this

magazine is like a scrapbook,

and this can be very appealing

to their target audience as the

target audience is between 13-

25, meaning they are more

interested in layout and look

than the actual context.

However, through the use of

pull quotes the magazine

appeals to their older

audiences as some context is

revealed.

By including abbreviations,

WTF?! the magazine targets

the modern reader as they

understand the meanings of

them and acts as their

generations own language.

Furthermore, through using

highlights such as PLUS!, 7

DAY and WIN other

audiences are influenced to

read the magazine as there are

other appealing categories

within the magazine.

To conclude, the overall look

appeals to their audience well

as the scrapbook look is for

younger audiences and the

pull quotes to the older.

Fonts

On this particular magazine there is a minimum of three different fonts;

the masthead/main article, PLUS! and the smaller regular text. This

emphasises the importance of each article, e.g. the bigger the text the

more important or larger the article is. The masthead and main article

are in a distressed font which connotes the genre the magazine portrays

and therefore attracts the target audience.

Additionally, the size of the fonts relate the size of the articles and their

important in this particular issue.


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Colour Scheme:

The colour scheme is typical of a rock magazine; red, black and white, however the use of yellow highlightsimportant aspects of the magazine, e.g. Win! Sonisphere Tickets and Plus.

Through the use of this colour scheme, the target audience instantly know that the magazine has been made forthem; this is due to the fact that they are familiar with this layout. In addition, audiences feel more comfortablewith reading the magazine as the colour scheme creates a feel of belonging, which links to the stereotypicalidea that this consumer type are considered emos and loners, therefore the connotation of the colourssuggests that the person reading no longer has to feel like they are alone. Red, black and white illustrates the

rock music genre as the music itself is serious, rebellious and gritty, implying that the audience are people whoknow and understand their music. Additionally, the connoted seriousness could imply that the target audience isadolescence transferring into adulthood.

Conversely, the yellow is not typical of a rock music magazine; instead it is attention grabbing and informs theaudience of other aspects of the magazines, that there is more to it than the main article.

Photography

This medium close up shot

focuses on the lead singer of

the main band featured;

Black Veil Brides.

This studio style photograph

contradicts the style usually

used to represent this genre

of music, as rock and metal

magazines focus on live

imagery to connect with their

audience. However, the

positioning of the person still

keeps the intimacy that the

audience expect as the

person is looking directly at

the camera. In addition, the

facial expression also

reflects the genre of the

music as rock music is seen

as rebellious, loud and

aggressive.

Fonts

On this magazine cover alonethere is a minimum of threedifferent fonts;

1. The MastheadBy making the mastheadlarge and bold the audienceare immediately aware whichmagazine brand this is. Thebold font could suggest theboldness of rock music andthe rebellion behind it.

2. Pull quote and +6awesome posters

This text connotes the familiar

relationship in which thereader and writer has as thepull quotes text reflects thatof someones handwriting.

3. Remaining text

The remaining text is bold likethe masthead but a muchsmaller font, which suggeststhat the rest of the articles areequally as important as eachother, but at the same time

doesnt take away the focusfrom the masthead or mainarticle. The text to the right ofthe magazine cover is largerto that above the mastheadand to the left, this couldillustrate that these articlesare larger that the others butsmaller than the main article.In addition, there is smallertext under the right headings,this further emphasises thatthese articles are articles areconsiderably long eventhough they are the mainarticles.

Overall Look

Personally, I find the overall look aesthetically pleasing and it connotes all the

elements of a rock magazine, as well as including its own unique factors,

such as the yellow and blue text.

Text/Picture Ratio

This particular front covers background is the one large image which the text

on top of it. By doing this the magazine promotes their main article, however I

would say the ratio is extremely close to 50% of both image and text. There

are no other images promoting singular articles, although there is the small

images of the posters near the right bottom corner, this allows the reader to

preview the posters before buying the product, as for some readers it is the

poster special that is the selling point for them, not the main article.


5/9

Colour Scheme:Revolver is one of few magazines, which do not follow the typical red, black and white colour scheme, which isa common trait that most rock magazines have established. Additionally, each Revolver magazine follows adifferent colour scheme for each issue, this illustrates that it is already a large recognised brand, which nolonger needs to focus on keeping a minority of people reading as they already have a widely diverse audience.For this particular magazine, the publisher and designers have used elements of black, white and red, on onehand this maybe due to the band that is occupying the front cover of the magazine, as Avenged Sevenfoldsaudience can be stereotyped as typical rockers; on the other hand it could suggest that this issue of themagazine is especially for a specific audience. However, golds and oranges are the colours that dominate themagazine, from the masthead colour to the fire in the background; by using this as a colour scheme, Revolversteps away from the conventions of a typical rock magazine, although this rebellion against the typical colourscheme could connote the rebellion of the rock and metal genre.

PhotographyThe long shot of the bandconnotes the rock andmetal genres as itillustrates how the genreis rebellious, aggressiveand gritty yet are beingrewarded for this. One of

the band members isholding a baseball bat witha fireman unconscious,the second is holding alighter with a fire behindhim and lastly the memberin the foreground isholding a spray can andhas graffiti the bandsname on the pedestal; onone hand couldemphasise how those whodont appreciate itperceive rock and metalmusic as teenage anarchyand how the reader feelssegregated from everydaysociety because of theseassumptions; on the otherhand, it could illustratehow artists in the rock andmetal genre have had toover come these

stereotypes in order toaccomplish all they have,and now they are beingrewarded for there efforts.However, by presentingthe band with a reward theaudience members whofeel ostracised could seethat it is possible to overcome anything.

FontsRevolver has used at leastfour different fonts on thismagazine cover:1. MastheadBy making the masthead boldthe audience immediatelyknows which magazine this is,

and regular buyers of themagazine can purchase itwithout trouble. By allowingthe photograph to partiallycover it, it is suggested thatthat the magazine is widelyknown and does not need toshow the mastheadcompletely as it is alreadyrecognisable.2. Tag Line (The Worlds

Loudest RockMagazine)

By have the tagline in a more

handwritten font type intimacy

is created with the reader, and

this suggests an element of

familiarity with the reader and

writer.

3. Main article headlineThe main article is in a boldfont, which immediately drawsthe readers attention to it, the

size connotes its importancein the magazine and thisdramatic font illustrates thedrama of the image.4. Party Time! Excellent!This Gothic font is similar tothe text of the Timesnewspaper this couldconnote how the magazine isinformative as well asentertaining.5. Other articles within the

magazineThis text is bold, portrayingeach articles own importance,but the smaller text reflectshow the articles themselvesare also small in size.

Text/Picture RatioOnce again, this magazine is split almost 50/50in the text/picture ratio; this could signify how thearticles contain a fair amount of information fortheir older audience, as well as also catering fortheir younger readers.

Overall LookOn one hand, the magazine does lookprofessional as the layout is split equallybetween pictures and text. However, personally Ifind this particular colour scheme less appealing

than that of the regular black, white and red, asit seems that the magazine is trying to cater for alarger audience, and by doing so is mergingmultiple colours to appeal to different individual.Over all, I still find it an appealing magazine frontcover.


6/9

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme does not denote a typical rock and metal magazine; however the blue, white and yellow do

represent a punk-pop genre. This can connote a more laid-back, informal, fun ambiance in the articles writing and

therefore being more attracting and appealing to their younger audience.

Though, the editor still manages to make the magazine appealing to their older audiences through the use of

black, white and red, which indicates a rock and metal influence of the writing. This can further illustrate an aspect

of seriousness in the magazine, even though it mainly suggests a more punk-pop-y atmosphere.

The variety of colour suggests that the magazine is attempting to appeal to a diverse audience, diverse in age and

music taste. It could be seen as the magazine attempting to help pre and young teens to progress from their pop

music phase, which familiar has been presented as a safe and familiar genre, this is reflected in the blues and

yellows. However this transition is more clear in the use of black, white and red as the writers and editors attempt

to expose the reader to the more gritty and rebellious aspect of music; rock and metal.

Photography/Overall Look

The scrap-book layout from the

front cover has been reflected in

the contents page also, this

suggests a sense of informality

throughout the entire magazine,

encouraging younger members of

its audience to read and enjoy

the articles as the layout is

entertaining and different to that

of a typical rock and metal

magazine/genre.

The larger , medium-shot image,

even though does not connote a

typical rock image (as it is not live

but instead from a studio) it still

makes the audience feel familiar

and comfortable with the layout

of the magazine, as her posture is

very welcoming, and therefore

welcomes the reader. In addition,

it is made clear that it is the main

article in the magazine, at least

one of the main articles.

The two smaller pictures are

taken of articles in the magazine

themselves, this emphasises their

importance in the magazine but

also could be used to attract

other readers who arent

necessarily interested in the

cover band.

Writing Style

The writing style of the editor here is informal and can appeal to the

younger audience; however the editors comments would over all appeal

more to the older audience as they would appreciate the time taken to

write the comments. Additionally, a sense of familiarity is further

illustrated as by including the editors comment, the editor is willing to

interact with the reader and therefore allows the reader to feel more at

home with the magazine and continue to purchase it.

Fonts

The larger and smaller headers are in the same font, which alsocorresponds to the header, and subtly reinforces which magazine it is.

The smaller black fonts inform the reader of the articles name, with

partial description underneath in a smaller font, this proves the detail

needed to encourage the read to read the articles, without giving away

vital information from the articles.

Text/Picture Ratio

75% of this contents page is

images, this further emphasiseshow the editors are making this

primarily for the younger

audience, but at the same time

manage to attract other readers,

although the older readers could

be due to the sense of familiarity

the magazine presents,

especially if they have been

reading it from a young age. The

lack of text could on one hand

suggest that teenagers do not

like to read, but on the other

hand it could suggest that in

order to find more detail, one

must read the articles, through

this reason, the editors and

writers encourage the reader to

continue reading the magazine.


7/9

Colour Scheme

Here the colour scheme could

connote a the rock and metal

genre as it revolves around the

black and white theme,

however the blue does not,

although the blue does give themagazine a more classy look,

suggesting that this particular

magazine is more appealing to

an older audience compared to

a younger one.

Additionally, these colours are

reflected in the image, as

Jacoby Shaddix is wearing blue

and black, this emphasises whothe main article is about as the

editor has made parallels

between the colour scheme

and the only image on the

page.

Photography

This medium close up of Jacoby

Shaddix emphasises who the main

article is about; additionally, the

intimate shot (eye contact) causes

the reader to feel more familiar

with the band and magazine.

Even though this is not a typical

camera shot which denotes a rock

and metal magazine (normally live

however this is studio produced)

the genre is still presented clearly,

this is due to the intimacy and

comfort still being displayed.

Moreover, the image and

background suggests that the

article goes more into the bands

personal life which could attract

more readers as it is their chance

to relate their life with their

heroes; in addition it allows the

reader to feel more connected with

their favourite artists and to

discover that they arent that

different from each other.

Writing Style/Fonts

The name of the magazine is presented at the top of the contents page, this reminds the audience what and who they

are reading; additionally, by presenting the date and issue number the audience is informed of what issue they are

reading. This suggests that this magazine is for a more sophisticated rock and metal reader.

Furthermore, main features is in capitals and a larger font than the text below, this reinforces that importance of the

articles in the magazine and they are the key articles to read. By having the band names in a larger font, the

editor/designer amplifies the importance of these bands in the magazine and this encourages different fans to read

this magazine. Though the detail is in a smaller font, there is more of it, further emphasising that his magazine is for an

older audience and that the articles themselves are quite long.

Overall Look

Through the use of the pull quote the audience get an inside view of what the

main article is about. Moreover, the pull quote is a piece of private information

what will shot the reader as they will not have assumed Jacoby Shaddix likes

Justin Bieber, however the pull quote is taken out of context and maybe sarcasm,

the reader will not know until they read the article, this encourages the reader to

purchase the magazine and read this specific article.

Furthermore, instead of it looking like images have been placed onto the page

with the text, the text has been place on the image. This reinforced the

magnitude of importance of the main article and who it is about.

Text/Picture Ratio

Here the photograph dominates the contents page, through this method the

main article is emphasised, and not too much detail is given away, so therefore it

still encourages the reader to read the actual articles.


8/9

Colour Scheme

This double page spread (DPS) is typical of most rock and metal magazines, as it is black, redand white. Through using a familiar colour scheme, the magazine automatically creates a familiarand comfortable atmosphere in which the audience feels at home.

Additionally, using a colour scheme throughout the entire magazine, cover to cover, createscohesion and allows the audience to feel a sense of belonging as they know and understand the

music which is being presented in the magazine.

Photography &Text/Picture Ratio

As we can see, this particular double page spread is primarily occupied by the image. This suggeststhat the magazine itself is aimed at a younger audience, or young teens, as they would not beinterested in reading a vast amount of text.Even though the picture is posed in a studio, which does not denote a typical rock/metal theme, themedium close up still forms a sense of intimacy between the reader and band through eye contact.

Furthermore, the makeup and clothing Taylor Momsen is in also connotes a rock/metal genre, as it isassociated with leather and dark makeup, this emphasises the grittiness of the magazine. Additionally,rebellion is demonstrated as the rock and metal genre has also been dominated with male musicians(with few exceptions), by using a female fronted band, it illustrates females also being rebellious as theywere not associated with this genre with music in the past.

Writing Style/Font

Rebellion is demonstrated through the masthead of the page, as CHILD connotes purity andinnocence, this is reinforced by choosing to use white as the font colour, however the redWild demonstrates the rebellion overshadowing the innocence, this could reflect the transitionfrom childhood to adolescence, further emphasising the target audience for this specific article.

The smaller writing underneath reveals part of the article, the main topic that it is about, thisallows the audience to have a general idea about what/who they are reading about withoutdiving straight into it.

Layout

This DPS denotes thatof a typical article as itis in columns, thisreinforces the form ofwriting that this is: amagazine article. On

one hand thisdemonstrated the typeof reader who will readthis as they are morelikely to readsomething that doesntlook like a vastamount. However, onthe other hand, itcauses the magazineto look more formal

and typical of that ofnews article; which itis.


9/9

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme here is typical of a rock and metal music genre (black and white) however the orange and

yellow is not.

The black and white creates a familiar ambiance in which the audience is comfortable with and therefore

understands what the magazine has to offer music-wise.

The orange and yellow denote that the band members are individuals and like to stand out, this further

connotes the rebellion in the rock/metal genre.

Layout

The layout of this specific magazine article is primarily aimed at a younger audience as there is minimal writing and

the image occupies at least 75% of the DPS.

The masthead of this DPS is at a diagonal angle further emphasises how this band likes to be individual,

furthermore the colour of the text reflects her hair colour, and therefore emphasises whom the article is about.

Writing Style/Font/Photography

The masthead on this particular DPS is at an angle, this could further suggest how the band itself is unique and

like to stand out from the crowd, this is then further emphasised by matching the font colour with the front

womans hair; however this could imply that she is Paramore and not the rest of the band. Furthermore,

through this indication, the article could be more about her than the rest of the band, and as the band are inblack and white with the background, could further demonstrate that they are merely Hayley Williams backing

musicians and not a band.

Additionally, the medium shot portrays binary oppositions, as the city background could suggest that the band

members are ordinary people, which will help fans connect and form a stronger relationship with them, as they

see themselves as more like the members friends, instead of idols on pedestals. However, this is juxtaposed by

the high angle shot, as the band looks superior to the fans, implying that they are people to be looked at and to

be worshipped but not touched. Through this antithesis, the articles contents could be reflected.

The turquoise text gives a brief overview of what the article is about, this allows the reader to see what the

article is about without actually reading it, this further reflects the age group the target audience is and

therefore, on one hand, the unusual colour (which is not typical of a rock and metal genre) draws their attention,whereas on the other hand could further illustrate the bands unique and rebellious attitude to break all

stereotypes, such as having a female front icon for the band (which at the time was a new idea as females were

no/rarely associated with this specific genre of music).

analysis of 3 potential competitors

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