alexanderhofe’s Blog

FRONT COVER

This magazine uses a large picture to grab the readers, the picture is reaching out and almost seems to come out of the frame. It fits rules of thirds well, with the main focus being in the middle and very central. It follows a stereotypical magazine layout with the Magazine title across the top and pricing in the bottom corner. The cover uses little text to encourage the reader to buy it and the frame seems to be dominated more by the picture. This is because the picture shows a famous lead singer of a band which would appeal to readers.

The main colours are black, white and a silvery blue which go well with the magazine. The black and white suggest connotations of darkness, gothic, old, which all link well with the rock theme. The silvery blue is a metal colour which also ties in with the rock theme and metal music. The main title has been coloured white which is separate from the other text which is blue this helps to highlight the name. No bright colours have been used because the magazine is trying to appeal to a more moody, aggressive market and wants to attract the rockers and head bangers.

The main text is written in a sans serif style and has sharp jagged edges to the letters, still following with the violent and aggressive connotations. A band name is written across the magazine which is very graphic. This is because the band’s own logo has been used to help the reader recognise it. It is also highlighted in colour and is in 3D.

The magazine name is partially covered by photo; this is because the magazine wants you to focus on the image more. The brand name of the magazine will have already been established so there is less need to make it stand out. The band name “metallica” stands out and is very large, this is because they are a popular band and the magazine wants to drawn you in by the recognisable name.

The magazine cover is glossy and looks good quality.

The image is of the lead singer of band “metallica”. He is a well known character and a large photo of him has been used to get the readers interest. The image is clear and focuses on his facial expression. He is pulling a face looking aggressive. His arms are open and he is doing rock signs with his hands. This all links to the type of music represented in the magazine.

The camera shot is in focus, very clear and in the centre. It has been taken at eye-level with the subject so it looks directly at him. The photo is in black and white, this links to the colour scheme, which creates a dark mood .

The body language of the character in the image is large and dominating. His facial expression also helps him to look evil as well as the rock signs he makes with his hand.

A sword has been used just underneath the title. Thinks links to gothic connotations. Metal wheels and jagged edged stars are used; these objects are tough and harsh, which goes well with the heavy metal music stereotype.

Little information is shown, because the magazine wants the main focus to be on the band “metallica”. Some other band names are listed across the top, but the large band name “metallica” dominates across the centre. This is mainly so potential customers will recognise the band and buy the magazine to read about them. Price and date are also listed, however no other real information about the magazine is shown, which creates a huge focus on “metallica”.

This magazine cover focuses more on the image of the famous band member to address the reader. Little text has been used to draw the reader in. The picture is dominating and large. Having this large recognisable character will attract reader’s attention.

• Anchorage text: “we’ve gone back to 1985!” suggests that the band shown is back and on top form.

• Blurb: Price. Little other info shown apart from other featured bands across the top but it doesn’t tell you much about them.

• Slogan: “we’ve gone back to 1985!” suggest an older audience. 1985 links to metallic fans. “defenders of the faith” gothic war like statement, wants readers to believe that their magazine is the only true rock magazine.

• Graphic features: Stars and swords are used and both link well with the rock theme.

DOUBLE PAGE

There is a large picture on left of the band, this dominates the page as well overlapping onto the next page. The title and words are on the right. The dominating picture catches reader’s eye, it is large but the image also shows the band members pulling faces and striking poses. A gold boarder around the double page spread holds everything in.

Black and white have again been used, but gold is also a main colour. Black background suggests darkness which continues with the gothic theme. White and gold are used for the text, gold highlighting more important text, such as writers and photographers. White is the main text colour. Gold suggests wealth and superiority which suggests the band is successful and famous.

The title font is very graphic and stands out well, it is written in a sans serif style but some letters have sharp spikes coming off them. This effect works well because it looks more hazardous and vicious linking with the rock theme. Effects have been used to make the text look rougher this also helps to make it look tough. The main text is written like an article, which is what you would expect. A puff in the lower left corner advertises the band’s new album “DEATH MAGNETIC IS ABOUT TRANSPORTING YOURSELF BACK TO 1985”. This links to the article’s title “back to the future” and the front cover which reads “we’ve gone back to 1985”. A blurb in top right corner links with the article title and draws the reader in making them want to read the article.

A pun is used, “back to the future” which links to a well known film. It doesn’t make sense at first and requires the reader to read further into the article to understand this. Apart from creating confusion this is a good technique which makes the reader want to read the article.

The main image is of the band Metallica and is in full colour unlike the front cover which was black and white. The members of the band all look big and dominating with hands and arms spread open. It has a dark background behind, helping create focus on the band as well as adding little colour creating darkness and continuing the rock theme. The band members all have clear facial expressions and all look loud, violent and angry. Some members are swearing. This is all very direct to the reader and fits in very well with the rock stereotype.

The camera shot is level with your eye and looks directly at band. It is a wide shot and shows the whole group. The shot is in focus to wants to show each member clearly.

The band look old; they have long hair, some with beards and look a bit crazy. All the band members are shown no-one really dominates apart from the lead singer who is the only one shown on the front cover and is in the centre of the image on the double page spread. The band looks angry and as if they want to fight you. This suggests connotations of violence and anger which follow the rock music theme.

The band are all doing different signs with there hands, some are swearing. They all look aggressive and destructive. The band seems intimidating and powerful, the magazine wants to create this mood because the band is well known.

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