Music magazine analysis

Music magazine analysis 

Research and annotations of contents pages and double page spreads 

   

        

I have analyzed a range of music magazine contents pages and double page spreads from various genres which all include the main codes and conventions to make a successful music magazine. I have looked at their layout, colour schemes, images, content, fonts and the target audience of each magazine. 

In NME's double page spread as seen below, they use one main image to do with the story on one side which is A4 and takes up a whole page, on the other page is the story accompanied by a large serif font of the title. The image being A4 is for the image to stand out to the reader therefore would want to read the article. 

Whereas in this issue of Vibe magazine, it contains a series of small black and white images which go across the double page with a larger image on one page of the artist, who other than her name in the article is the only bit of colour on the double page, which makes her the center of attention. Around her is text, although a lot of text she is still the main focus. 

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Contents page research

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Contents pages are used in order to give a snippet of what is available to read inside the magazine. If the descriptions are detailed and interesting this excites the reader into reading the actual article. The page numbers are clear to read to ensure navigating around the magazine is easy for the reader.

Behind the artist, Kanye West, there is a large outstanding "V" as the logo to show this is part of "Vibe" magazine. It is apparent that it is the contents page as it is on the right hand side in a big, black, bold, sans serif font making it easy for the reader. The colour scheme of the contents page is black and white with a hint of red from the heart being pressed onto Kanye's heart, which adds a splash of colour onto the contents page. The contents page is simple and tells you the articles involved in the magazine and gives you a page number of where to find them. There are also sub sections such as Features and Fashion, which makes navigating around the magazine easier for the reader.

Contents page #2

From my research, it is clear that the layout is similar in every issue creating from this magazine. From the previous research into this magazine it is clear that in every issue I have studied "NME this week" is a consistent part of the contents pages. The colour schemes and layout are consistent to make the magazine well known and distinguished by the way it is set out, the layout is formed into simple sections which is easy and simple for the reader to navigate around. The colour scheme used is the usual red, white and black, white being the background, this is a successful part of the magazine as due to a result of this the colour used stands out against the white background. A part of the text which is not to do with the contents page and is about subscribing to the magazine, is done in a bold yellow and white font so it grabs the attention of the audience as it is the only different colour on the contents page therefore stands out.

The lead article on this contents page is sectioned out to be in the center of the page, this is in order to stand out and to be the main focus, it is a big story therefore by placing it in the center automatically attract attention fully. The article is one which is very much involved with the genre of the magazine and the target audience therefore this is a story they would be interested in. It clearly states which page it is on for their target audience to read.

The overall look of NME's contents page is quite professional from the layout to the limited palette of colours used which is consistent in every magazine the company creates.

By analyzing double page spreads and contents pages I now know what layout and content I will use. My main story will be of a new album for an already known artist who will be announcing the new album. The layout I will use will be like the double page spreads I  have analyzed where there is  the article, title and quotes on one side of the page followed by the image of my artist in large on the other page. By analyzing other music magazines this will help me when creating my own as I can see all the aspects I would need to include in order to make a successful magazine in the music industry.