Draft Contents Page

Draft Final Double Page Spread

Planning for Front Cover, Contents and Double Page Spread

Double Page Spread Analysis

The double page spread music magazine which features a band called the 'black eyed peas' has all the simple conventions that a magazine would feature. Plan white background used to make the photo (even the faded parts) and the text stand out on the page as the text for the article is black which contrasts against the white background. The photo has been edited so that the main artist in the band stands out on the page and the other three have been daded into the background. I like how the title for the article is in grey and gold which relates back to the clothing the band are wearing in the photo. This gives the page a theme which runs throughout the double page. Most of the text is black on white although quotes of the article have been picked out and have been highlighted. These parts are white on black. Some of the text is harder to read against the darker parts of the picture although the fade effect that had been used does help against the darker parts of the picutre although the fade effect that had been used does help agaist this. Questions for the article are in bolder text which makes it clear to which parts of the article are questions and which are the answers.

Although the picture is only on one side of the spread the title for the article goes over the double page which creates a connection between the two pages. Linked in with the contents page one of the headings on the contents page one of the headings on the contents page for the sections in the magazine was 'RADAR' this is clearly listed at the top of the page on this spread. I like how there is a running theme on the page of blue, black and white. Quotes for the article have been highlighted in blue. The blue for the need to know box on this page contrasts against the picture. If this text was just to be placed on the picture without the blue It would be harder to read as some parts of the picture are quite dark. This would mean a lighter colour would be needed which would break the colour scheme on the page.

In additions I like the idea of how the page is in three sections; the main picture for the article, the main text for the article and the banner at the side with more information related to the article. The text used for the heading of the article is clever because the letters shape together. Blues have been used in the photo which keeps the theme constant. Although red have also been used which contrasts against the blue to make the people in the photo stand out. Quotes highlighted in blue makes them stand out from the rest of the article.

The fact box on the page has also been highlighted in blue to make it stand out on the page.

In my opinion this spread looks boring. The black and white theme works well but from my perspective does not appeal to me as it seems quite minimalist. I think that too much space has been wasted. Name for the magazine has been printed at the bottom of each page. The two pages have no connection. The picture has just been cut off. Although It works with this magazine I think it would have been more appropriate to let the picture flow onto the next page.

This double page spread features the main article name ‘Dirty Little Secrets’, it is an interview with the band ‘The All-American Rejects’, it features five different pictures of the band and band members which are made to look like they are stuck in with tape much like in a scrapbook, the font is a mixture of serif and sans serif and is coloured red and pink. This double page spread is an interview and is set out in the usual way. The questions to the band are written in pink, the individual band member names are written in red and the answers in white. The overall colour-code system and fonts work very well with the pictures as they match the colour scheme of the band and it makes it much easier to read and interesting to look at. The pictures work very well as they match the colour scheme. They are also very dynamic in posing and placement, and also the use of just one colour picture makes the biggest photo stand out more and make the centre of the spread much more eye-catching. The pictures portray the band in a fun and almost normal way which is what the interview is trying to portray. The interview itself is very informal, the questions are slightly crude and personal as are the answers. This article would be very interesting for a fan of the band, but also interesting for people who are not yet fans as they can find out some interesting and fun facts out about the band and get to know their personalities.

This double page spread features the main article name, which is also a pull quote ‘People think I’m an Attention Seeker, but I’m just honest’, it is an interview with the singer Lily Allen, it features one picture of Lily which takes up one whole of the page. The font is sans serif but made to look like cut-outs from newspapers, it’s black and white in colour. The picture of Lily Allen covers the whole of the right hand side of the page, leaving the left page for all of the text. The picture of Lily shows her standing confidently with her hands on her hips, which works with the article itself that is showing her as outspoken and confident in herself. The font in the article itself is all sans serif and black in colour except Lily’s name at the top which is in bold red and also looks as though it has been cut from newspapers. The fact that the article title is a pull-quote helps the audience to see what the basis of the interview is about and whether they would enjoy it or not. The colour scheme on this spread is very simple and clean with it being black and white aside from Lily herself who is dressed in red which makes her really stand out and eye-catching.

How do magazine front covers use denotation and connotation to attract their intended audience?

Look magazine lures their intended audience in several ways. The magazine is called 'look' which emphasizes the 'look' and directly invites the audience to see, signifying the nature and fashion which features in the magazine which suggests 'get the look'. The title 'look' is big, bold and eye-catching; as it is coloured a bright pinky/purple.  The magazine itself is very feminine as it has colours such as pinks, whites, blues and yellows. The various amount of pink used makes the magazine look attractive and girly and appeals female readers. The thought of Look magazine is to give the impression that Look magazine is fashionable, sleek and sophisticated, perhaps maybe for a more mature audience than Heat magazine. The genre of Look is that it is a women’s magazine, mainly dedicated to fashion. The representation of Look is that it is a magazine that a young, fashionable woman would read unlike Heat which is most likely to be read more by a younger teenage audience. I would say that Look magazine is aimed at young women who are interested in celebrities and fashion. I think that the audience for Look would consist of maybe more sophisticated women than Heat magazine’s audience. This is because Heat is all celebrity gossip and the language and phrases used are less formal than Look.

The magazine selling line 'Britain's Best- Selling Fashion Weekly' links in with the title 'look' as they are highlighting the selling line to look once again, directing that this magazine interests women who are passionate with their image. However the magazine has around the same codes and conventions of most women's magazines although look is mainly about fashion and clothing instead of just celebrity gossip like Heat magazine.

The magazine also includes images that are colourful and eye-catching to appeal to a female audience and is filled with cover lines and bright colours. The photo of Cheryl Cole a famous celebrity, posing and smiling with dark bright red lipstick appears to be attracting the audience through eye-level. The photo is close up and you cannot see the background; which allows the readers to be concentrated only onto Cheryl. Women adore Cheryl's looks and her hairstyles which is why Cheryl features on 'look' magazines often.

In addition the narrative of Look magazine is similar every week and the magazine is always mainly devoted to high street fashions. The plot and structure of the magazine remains the same each week so it appeals to its target audience. The codes and conventions of Look magazine is that it gives a stylish outlook and image to the viewer of the magazine. This is combined into every issue of Look magazine to keep the codes and conventions fluent throughout the issue.

 

In conclusion, from analysing Look magazine, I have noticed how the codes and conventions can be noticed throughout the whole magazine, from the front cover and throughout to the articles featured. This is to develop a 'house style' that all the articles, covers and issues can follow so the magazine is noticeable week by week. About my analysis there is an example of the Look magazine cover.

Analysis of an Image

This image seems to address its readers through the photo used. The photo portrays a barbie doll look, were Lady GaGa known for her appearances which changes often as she loves wearing costumes and wigs to represent different people. The picture immediately grabs the reader’s attention as it takes up the majority of the page. Her flashy red bright lipstick and her bright blonde wig gives Lady Gaga an attractive and eye-catching appearance. The background is a dark purple with light pink on the edges. I believe the dark purple makes the image stand out so that the audience gets an insight of Lady Gaga before they read the wrighting, this also shows she is superior as she stands out more.  'Going Gaga' which is coloured in pink with a thin outline of purple also

refers to Lady Gaga going mad with her outrageous outfits, the 'Gaga' which is took out of her name also creates a link between her and the image as the audience can immediatly get an insight of who the women is without her full name written.

 The photograph also suggests and addresses readers that everyone's main emphasis is on Gaga as the image is outstanding and she appears to be the main focus due to her bright wig, black nail polish which matches her big black glasses and lastly her bright wig.  

Contents Page Analysis

Negus Magazine

Front cover

Here I have created a Negus magazine front cover. I have used an image of a student holding books to refer to the magazine as the magazine is based on Negus. I have also used colours such as pink and purple to make the magazine front cover look eye-catching and attractive. I have also used different font styles to make my magazine front cover look unique and striking.

To improve the Negus magazine which i have created I could include more text and make the headline font size bigger so that it stands out. I could also use more images to make the magazine look busier.

Context Page

Here I have created a context page using various amounts of colour and font. I have used an image of football and make-up so that my magazine not only is targeting at female students but it targets male students too.

I have also used various amounts of colour so that the magazine looks outstanding as this magazine is targeted at a younger audience I want my colours to be lively and not boring.

I could change the background colour to one colour as I think the page looks really colourful. It is also hard to read the text as the background is not light enough. I could also change the font size so the text is bigger and easier to read.