DETAILED

ANALYSIS

Facts About ‘Guitarist’ Magazine

First issue was in 1984. Longest running guitar magazine in

Europe. Published every month.

Genre – Alternative rock & Heavy metal. Total circulation: 2008 - 31,917 Total circulation: 2009 - 30,539

Decrease of 1,378

Analysis

Target Audience :Male Readership (Niche) Price + including free CD : £5.50

Standard occupational Classification : Between A- C1 Band

Number Of Pages: 202 including front & back cover.

Number Of Editorial Pages: 70+ Has many adverts within the magazine

meaning the cover is cheaper.

Features Within The Magazine

Reviews about recently released

guitars, amplifiers and other guitar/music related equipment.

Plus interviews with guitar players.

This magazine covers both acoustic and electric guitars.

Front Cover Analysis

How much is the magazine?

The magazine costs £5.50.

 Where are we told

how much it is?The price is situated near

the barcode.

Who is producing the

magazine?The magazine is

produced by ‘Music Radar’/’Future’.

What colour is the masthead?

The colour of the masthead is white.

Is it a close-up, medium or long

shot?My personal opinion is

that it is a medium close-up shot of the guitar, as the image

does not show the full guitar but shows

enough of image for the viewing public to

recognise that it’s a guitar.

How does the image attract the

audience?The guitar on the front

cover is new and attractive to the niche market

audience (people who are interested in

guitars/musicians). The appearance, style and popularity of the guitar have a valuable part in attracting the specific

audience intended for the magazine to be successful.

How do we know what is inside the magazine?

Such as within the ‘Guitarist’ magazine they have stated there are reviews, interviews and guitar

lessons which are stated at the very top of the front cover (The “eyebrows”). Also around the

main image they give little sneak peeks - for example a little

image, name or a interesting quote from an article.

ALLURING OFFERS

Featured interviews within the magazine

Various font sizes

Front Cover Comparison

The Masthead is generally the same over the years. Its

distinctive and iconic.

The price is near the barcode again like the

guitarist magazine

The entire front cover has their

trademark colours – black, white and red. (In house style)

Unlike the guitarist magazine which states what features are within the

magazine (eyebrows) the NME states the same in the footer.

Contents Page Analysis – Part 1

Give a denotative description of the layout of

the contents page.The first page of the contents page shows an electric guitar which covers 2/3 of the page.

With 1/3 of the page containing page numbers and briefly what contents will be on that specific

page or pages within the magazine.

How is language targeting the audience?

The language used is generally directed to the A – C1 category of the ‘Standard Occupational Classification’ system. Meaning that the language used throughout

the magazine is formal (Standard English) – as the magazine is targeted to an upper – middle class niche

audience.

Give examples‘Line 6 upgrades its digital

guitar with the help of master craftsman James Tyler. We

exclusively review and demo the first MK II variax to storm

the UK’.

How many fonts have been used and why?

4 to 5 have been used throughout the contents page. This is because the word

‘contents’ must be in bold to indicate that it’s the contents page; to the

audience. Also different sections in the magazine are addressed by different

fonts for specific sections.

What images have been used and why?

On the first page there is a close up shot of the guitar in the middle of the page. I think this is because the designers want to remind the audience it is ‘Guitarist’ magazine. On the second half on the

contents page there is medium shot of a musician on the top left hand side

corner of the page.

Contents Page Analysis – Part 2

Give a denotative description of the

layout of the contents page.

The second page contains one image which is larger than another image on the same page. The rest of the

page contains the continuation of the page numbers and there brief

relevant page information.

Discuss the use of colour using

denotation and connotation

The use of colour is minimal – meaning that the in the two page of the contents magazine they use roughly 4- 5

colours. Which area all masculine colours; that

shows that the magazine is directed to a male

readership rather than female. Also the use of few colours may be to

make the audience focus more on the images

provided on both pages of the contents page rather than the text.

Double Page Spread AnalysisGive a denotative description of the

layoutThe layout on the

double page spread is busy, there are images scattered around both pages with associated

text relevant to the image close by, also

information for example booking tickets, telephone

numbers, animations are at the sides of the

pages.

What images have been used and

why?The images used are relevant to the text

which accompanies the images. For example if there is an image of a bass guitar the image would be relevant to

the text. When reading the text the purchaser

may not know what guitar the text is

discussing; so having the image of the guitar joint to the text makes it easier for the reader to identify with what

the text is talking about.

How many fonts have been used and

why?The amount of different fonts used is around 4 – 5 on both pages of the spread. This may be to break up the text; so

that the purchaser is not overwhelmed with text

and will find it somewhat enjoyable to

read and also to comprehend.

Discuss the use of colour using denotation and connotation

Also another example is a sign stating - ‘TICKETS FOR SALE NOW’ in bold white font with a red circular background. The use of a red background is possibly

used to associate with warning that tickets are running low.

Editors Mick Taylor (Editor)

Jim Douglas (Editorial Director)Matthew Hurlain ( Group Art

Editor)Julie Tolley (Group Senior Editor)Robin Abbott (Creative Director)

In House Photographers

Joe BranstonDave CauderyNeil GodwinSimon Lees

ABC – Amember Of The Audit Bureau Of Circulation

ABC launched in 1914. Launched as response to

advertiser demand. Advertisers & advertising agencies need to be assured

their printed advertising decisions are based on credible, independently verified circulation data.