Features Of a Magazine Front Cover

Mast Head - The name of the magazine, so readers become familiar with the magazine, and it's easily recognisable.

Skyline - This is at the top of the magazine presenting what the magazine has to offer, e.g. posters, competitions, exclusive dates, etc.

Slogan - A slogan is used to be recognisable with the magazine, it would link in with the title of the magazine and the genre.

Main Image - A large Image in the center of the page consisting of usually a band/artist within the music genre of that magazine.

Anchorage Text - Writing next to the main image to inform the reader what that image is about.

Sell Lines - Writing down the sides or along the bottom of the front page, which gives information about things included in the magazine.

Puff - Is a shape of a circle or star and it gives other information about the articlesThis is in the shape of a circle or a star and it gives other information about the magazine articles.

Price - This is usually hidden or in small print if the magazine is expensive, however if the magazine is cheap the price will be easily visible and in large print.

Bar Code - This is so the magazine can be scanned at a check out, usually its at the bottom corner of the magazine.

Front Cover Analysis

Kerrang Magazine Front Cover
KERRANG, is a UK-based Music Magazine devoted to rock music. It was first published on 6th June 1981 by Bauer Media Group. It was named after the onomatopoeic word that derives from the sound made when playing a power chord on an electric guitar. In the 2000's it became the best-selling British music newspaper.
This is the front cover to KERRANG Magazine, with Paramore Hayley Willaims. Hayley is looking directly at the camera to interact with the audience. They have stuck to a simple colour scheme with orange, red, black and white. The orange matches Hayley's hair and fits in with her top as well. They've combined Hayleys punching action with showing her 'exclusive interview', this gives a dramtic effect and makes the writing stand out more to show the audience. The font is bold so its easy to read and to grab the auidences attention.

Front Cover Anaylsis

NME Magazine Front Cover
NME are published weekly by the IPC Media, the magazine is aimed at mainly males between the ages 16-24. It is UK-based, and is the biggest-selling weekly music magazine in the world. The magazine shows music news from around the world and contains a concert guide.
This is the front cover to NME Magazine, with Rihanna as the main image. Rihanna is looking straight at the camera which makes her interact with the audience, the picture is mid-range showing her stomach upwards.  The word Rihanna is Anchorage Text, this is the text which relates to the main image and tells the audience what the main image is about.
At the top of the magazine is show '4 of 10 special edition covers', this grabs the readers attention and will draw them in to buy one of the special edition magazines. The font is bold so the audience can read and understand the writing, the theme also fits in with the font. Also the Mast head, main heading and sub headings are in a bold pink colour compared to the rest of the magazine to stand out more, unlike the other writing with is black or white. The colour scheme goes well together because all the colours stand out without making them clash, and the colours also fit in with the main artist on the front cover. As well as every other magazine this magazine has the bar code (bottom right) and price (top left) on the front of the magazine, so the readers can find out the price easily. This magazine front cover is simple, it doesnt contain a puff, skyline, so it focus' on the Mast Head, Main Image and Sub headings. The magazines Sell Lines are on the left hand side saying what is contained in the magazine.

Questionnaire

Questionnaire

This is a questionnaire helping me design and produce a Music Magazine to fit the audience’s preferences. My chosen genre for this magazine is Rock; my target audience age is aimed mainly at those from the age of 16 and over off both genres.

1.      What name appeals to you the most?

·         Trap

·         Dynamite

·         Zone

·         Paranoia

2.      Would a free gift with the magazine encourage you to buy it more?

·         Yes

·         No

3.      If you said yes it the last question what gift would you prefer?

·         Poster

·         Guitar Pick

·         CD containing a new realise

·         Other _________________

4.      How often would you expect the magazine to be realised?

·         Weekly

·         Every Fortnight

·         Monthly

5.      How much would you be willing to pay?

·         £2.00

·         £2.50

·         £3.00

·         £3.50

6.      What colour scheme do you think will suit this genre well?

·         Black, White and blue

·         Black and White

·         Black, White and Grey

7.      What kind of articles would you like to see?

·         Concert and Gigs upcoming news

·         Exclusive interviews

·         Charts

·         Reviews of latest releases

·         Upcoming Bands

·         News on Artists

·         Other __________________________

8.      Would you want competitions inside your magazine? If so what?

·         Win a signed gift

·         Meet and greet with an artist

·         Win gig/concert tickets and back stage passes

This is the Questionnaire I will be sending around to get information for producing and designing my Music Magzine.

Choosen Genre and Mood Board

The genre I  have chosen is Rock. I have chosen this genre because I like the style and layout off these certain magazines, for example Kerrang and NME. The target audience for this magazine is young adults, who have an interest in that genre of music.

I have decide to create a mood board to present the genre of my magazine, it mainly contains indie/rock bands. I have added the two most popular magazines that use this genre of music to show how to present my genre and font. The bands that I have included in this mood board have a unique style and look and will put this itno consideration whilist taking the pictures for my Music Magazine. I will continue my reasearch into music magazines, with more detail.

Link

Here's the link to my previous school magazine blog;
http://jessicanemethalevelmedia.blogspot.co.uk/

I feel that the School Magazine blog helped me learn how to use Eblogger and InDesign in a much stronger and more detailed way. I've learnt how to do many different skills with InDesign that at first struggled greatly with.
From doing my School Magazine I will be more prepared and knowledgable with creating and blogging about my Music Magazine. This will make my Music Magazine stronger and more presentable.