Music Magazine Research TaskBrett Moore

Magazine Genre: Rock/Heavy Metal

Main Image: A full bleed mid-shot is used as the main image with the purpose to introduce the main article or centre piece of this issue.Supporting Images: There is one supporting image ( a mid-shot thumbnail) placed in the bottom left hand corner of the page, to introduce other aspects of this particular issue.Colour: The main colour scheme consists of largely black and white, with small amount of gold, also to depict the mood and tone of the issue.Masthead: The masthead used is synonymous with the band presented, and so is particularly effective to the target audience of classic rock magazine. It is written in bold and is larger than surrounding texts making it stand out, and allowing readers to understand the reference being made.Sell Lines: There are three main sell lines of which are positioned cleverly in parts of the cover photo that is not as significant as other regions, and so it allows the magazine to appeal to further audiences without interrupting the main cover story.

Typography: The fonts used are predominately san serif, and are displayed clearly with each story title written in big bold, capital letters, with the description of each written in regular size and written in normal sentence context.

Banners, buttons and other graphics: There is one button used in the top left hand corner advertising a free CD with this issue of the magazine. There is also a banner used below the main masthead used to appeal to the target audience, by using technical lexis and information relative to Guns ‘n’ Roses.

Slogan: There is no slogan present.

Plugs: There is a plug also in the top left hand corner of the page advertising a free CD as a gift to the buyer of the magazine.

Administrative detail: Both the issue number and the price of the magazine are presented next to the magazines title, of £2.99. The cover page also shows a barcode in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Main Image: The image is a full bleed graphic of the mascot ‘eddie’ synonymous with Iron Maiden, however this is not the typical approach to a cover as it does not actually involve shot of a live person. This is very rare, however the text presented is well presented.Supporting Images: In the bottom left hand corner of the page there is a close up thumbnail of another well known and successful heavy metal band to coincide with Iron Maiden, therefore enticing a larger audience.Colour: On this magazine there is a large amount of red, black and yellow. Colours that stand out to the customers but also have relevance to the band depicted in the masthead.Masthead: The masthead presents the name of the band using the bands infamous logo, that fans will recognise instantly. It covers the main image and spreads across the whole page expressing the centre piece of this issue.Sell Lines: There are few sell lines present to make way for the centre piece and therefore limits the desirability of the magazine and does not necessarily show that the magazine has anything else despite, the mentioning of popular bands at the foot of the page in the form of a banner.Typography: The fonts on the Metal Hammer magazine are similar to that of the Classic Rock magazine, with san serif fonts and using bold letters for such things as free gifts and expressing other aspects of the magazine.

Banners, buttons and other graphics: There are four main banners present three of which are advertising or plugging free gifts and the other is stating the other things readers will find inside the magazine. A button has also been used to introduce other stories within the magazine.

Slogan: There is not a slogan present.

Plugs: As previously stated there are three plugs present all advertising free gifts or chances to win prizes. These are spread out around the masthead making the reader believe the magazine is offering good value for money.

Administrative Detail: There is a barcode and a price depicted on the left hand side of the page, accompanied by the issue number .

Main Image: The main image is a full length, full bleed shot of the two influential people in the article inside. They are both action shots and therefore bring the page alive.Supporting Images: There is a supporting thumbnail, mid-shot image in the right hand corner of the page.Colour: The main colours presented are black, silver, red and white a recurring theme in rock magazines.Masthead: The title is different in this cover to both of the other magazines because here the image is the main focal point and the caption is put away into the top left corner of the page which I feel is effective because the audience will be keen to find out as to why there are two very pretty evocative women on the front over particularly as the target audience will be mainly male.Sell Lines: Sell lines are a key point to this magazine cover, along the sides of the main image. This is the best layout I have analysed because it is clear to read and information you require is easily accessible from the contents of the cover page.Typography: Again san serif fonts are sued, also a reoccurring theme with bold lettering for titles and key aspects of each article and also these titles are written in a different colour to the rest of its surrounding text resulting in it standing out, noticeably.

Banners, buttons and other graphics: On this cover there are two buttons used, one is to plug a free poster and the other is to portray an article.

Slogan: There is also a slogan printed below the masthead that states ‘The Worlds Loudest Rock Magazine’ using phonology to accentuate the magazines genre.

Plugs: As previously stated there is a plug presented in the right hand sides sell line, offering a free poster to the reader of this magazine, thus enticing them to read this magazine over other ones for example.

Administrative Detail: There is a barcode and a price presented on this front cover, price being £1.99 and the barcode situated in the bottom right corner of the page, clear to the reader but does not disturb the main image.

What Have I Learnt?After analysing three front covers fro magazines in the same field of music magazines as the one I wish to explore in my magazine, I have learnt the importance of using a full bleed image, with a piece of adjoining text that is bold and clear to the reader in order to attract them to this issue. Also I have learnt that sell lines are influential in making a magazine look professional and ultimately make it successful. Furthermore overlapping the masthead with the main image is particular effective and efficient as it makes the image more attractive to the reader as well as signifying the success of your magazine, as people will be able to instantly recognise your magazine without reading the masthead full, also stressing the importance of using a lasting and recognisable colour scheme across the front cover and indeed throughout the magazine itself, thus constituting to the magazines, professionalism and its resulting success.