Research into similar products

Here, I have analysed a contents page from 'Q' magazine. The use of the colour scheme for this magazine is highly beneficial to the overall look of the page as the continued use of the colour red creates a sense of professionalism yet still looking quite striking and bold due to the bright splash of red on the spread. The continued use of red also makes the magazine more recognisable for the reader as it is included for every issue of 'Q'. Furthermore, the use of the layout creates emphasis on the images as they dominant the page since the text is mainly on the right side of the page, allowing more room for the images. Additionally,  the photography within this contents page is effectives as the use of a wide variety of images, all to do with various subjects ensures that no matter what the audience is, they will some how be interested in the features available in this magazine as there is so many, which is obvious immediately from the different photographs to do with fashion, nature and music.

Research into similar products

Here, I have analysed the contents page of 'Vibe' where they have featured Kayne West within the magazine. They have used a wide range of stylized features such as the layout of the text and the grey scale colour scheme to draw attention to the artist and to enable a more recognizable style to the magazine. I have analysed this contents page to reinforce my understanding of how powerful the use of colour scheme and photography can be. The unusual and quite abstract formation of the word 'Contents' re illustrates how unique and eye catching the page is due to the excessive stylizing of the contents page. The photography also allows  Kayne to formulate a relationship with the wider audiences who will feel enticed into buying the magazine.

Research into similar products

Here, I have again analysed a magazine front cover from 'Vibe'. The have analysed this to establish and develop my understanding of the codes and conventions of a magazine front cover, for which there are many for this issue. In my opinion, the mise-en-scene within this magazine front cover is effective and is essentially the most beneficial convention for this cover as it really emphasises the style of music this artist is known for and creates an overall sombre feel to the magazine, which relates the seriousness of rap music. Additionally, a symbiotic relationship is formed within this cover which causes T.I to be actually apart of the magazine instead of just being featured within it as he is literally apart of the masthead.

Research into Similar products

Here, I have analysed a 'Vibe' magazine cover to display my understanding of the codes and conventions of magazine covers and how they can effect the popularity of a magazine. This magazine in which I have analysed includes features on artist Janet Jackson. There are a large amount of techniques such as anchorage text, puffs and skylines that are used for this particular magazine cover which cause the overall product to be notably effective for the sales of the magazine. The use of the house style is quite successful for this magazine cover as it illustrates to the audience the branding and attitude of Jackson as well as highlighting key information in blue which stands out against the pale pink.The code and conventions of this magazine cover are beneficial for the magazine as they really demonstrate the attitude Janet Jackson is recognised for and what her fans love about her. However, for readers who aren't too interested in Janet Jackson the magazine cover includes other artists such as 'Rihanna' to appeal to a wide range of audiences not depending on their music taste and so therefore revealing how effective the cover is.

Research into similar products

Here I have analysed a 'Rolling stones' Magazine cover which features Rihanna. There are a range of techniques in which I have found such as cover lines, a main image and the date line. In my opinion, the code and conventions are successful for the front cover of the magazine as the style of photography for the magazine really embarks the attitude in which Rihanna's fans are attracted to as it indicates her 'I don't care' attitude. Having Rihanna turn away from the camera but still gives eye contact, this direct address formulates a relationship with the readers. Also, the use of  the other cover lines allow a wider range of audiences to appealed to the magazine.

Magazine Research - Billboard Magazine

The magazine by ‘Billboard’ is quite successful from the use of colour and text to draw attention to the artist, Lana del Rey. The genre of this magazine is particularly appealing due to the up-to-date artists that are typically included within the magazine, which attracts a large audience because of the attention-grabbing artists inside the magazine such as Lana del Rey. This means that having popular artists such as Lana allows a large amount of sales because of the large fan base the artist may have. Additionally, the colour scheme used on the front cover of the magazine is quite bold and vivid (similar to the bright and vibrant colours on  the artist’s clothing) since the cover uses rather bright colours which causes the magazine to become fairly conspicuous from the others and so are more eye catching to the audience who will therefore more likely buy the magazine which indicates the successfulness of the magazines front cover. Furthermore, the layout of the text is beneficial towards the success of the magazine since the centre text overlaps over the vibrant outfit the artist is wearing to emphasise what the what the text is saying and creates an eye catching overall appeal to the magazines front cover. Finally, the magazine centre texts a long list of other artists such as ‘Madonna’, this appeals to a wide range of music fans no matter what specific music taste they may have. This indicates that their will be a larger attraction to the magazine and so a wider audience will be drawn towards it and so reveals that the magazine is highly effective through the layout, colour scheme and chosen artists on the front cover of the magazine.

  

Magazine research - Maxim Magazine

The magazine by ‘Maxim’ is especially effective due to the use of simplicity on the magazine front cover. The neutral colour scheme of the front cover being  black, white and grey is simple yet powerful as it increases the attention towards the artist and reduces the audience becoming distracting by bright fonts and colours. This means that fans of the artist will instantly be engaged with the front cover since she is the first thing the viewer is drawn to and will be curious to read what the magazine has to say, therefore revealing the effectiveness of the magazine front cover as it attracts their target audience immediately. Furthermore, the ‘maxim’ front cover is successful by the enhancement of Taylor Swift’s eyes which again will draw the audience towards her immediately as the bright blue eyes attract attention from the simple colour scheme. Also, the layout of the front cover is beneficial towards the popularity of the magazine as the text works around Taylor’s face and body which draws attention towards her once again and additionally the use of bold text for words such as ‘The very best’ and ‘No.1 Taylor Swift’ draws are attention towards it and leads the audience inquisitive to what the magazine discusses and why they believe she is the best, whether the audience member agrees with the statement or not, revealing how successful the front cover is again as even the target audience members who aren’t particular fans of the artist are enticed to read the magazine which will therefore create a higher sales margin for ‘Maxim’ due to the fans of the artist and a wider audience wanting to buy the magazine just from the magazine’s cover.

Magazine research - Q Magazine

This magazine By ‘Q’ is quite effective and easily attracts their target audience due to the simple yet successful use of the colour scheme for the front cover of the magazine. The use of a blue and white colour scheme clashes with the artist’s hair making them quite bold and stand out to the audience. Also, having Florence wear blue eyeshadow is beneficial  as it complements the front cover’s colour scheme and in addition brings the audience's attention towards her, meaning she is the first thing the viewer is drawn to, therefore fans of Florence will instantly be engaged with the front cover and intrigued to read the magazine. However, the front cover also mentions other celebrities such as Simon Cowell, Chris Martin and Skrillex, three very different members of the music industry which will appeal to a wider audience range which the magazine front cover has used to it’s advantage by putting their names within the headlines of the front cover. The diverse celebrities mentioned on the front cover entices the reader and a wider range of audience’s to read the magazine and therefore create a higher sales margin for Q.

Questionnaire Analysis

Here is the analysis of questionnaire results I had completed by a few students within my school so that I could become informed on how to make the school based magazine I will create shortly more appealing to my audience. 

My first post!

Hey Guys! It's me Scarlett and I'm posting my first blog post!

I'm currently studying AS Media Studies at St. Thomas Aquinas school. 

I have uploaded the cropping exercise I did today to demonstrate ICT skills and using a magazine masthead. This will be useful for my preliminary task.