LINKS, SYNERGY AND BRAND IDENTITY

Mojo has a brand identity, as you can see, the logo is in white, typically their mastheads are black or white, this shows connotations of it being old, this could suggest it's a long running magazine. This continues on to the contents page where the whole background is white with photos and text piled on top.

The contents page has many photos, which are laid out nicely, also, looking at the styles of the photographs and the colour codes you can tell that it is definitely a jazz/reggae [magazine theme] contents page.
Also, the fonts used for the contents puff looks soft and bold which show the reader it is very chilled out and calm. 

The contents page has quite a lot of text wrapping, even though it is very busy. This is also present in other issues of Mojo contents pages. I actually quite like the way it is laid out, though I am unsure if I would use this personally. The masthead/logo of the magazine can be seen more than once on the contents page, which shows it's brand identity, as due to that you will never confuse it with another magazine's contents page.

From this i have learnt that many genres of music magazines use links, synergy and brand identity to relate to catch the readers eye.
This is effective because, it will grab the attention of the reader and will lead to more purchases. 
This will help me decide my colour scheme for my magazine.

CONTENTS RESEARCH 3

CONTENTS RESEARCH 2

The images used on this contents page represent the acoustic genre.

They represent this genre of music because many pictures of acoustic guitars are shown and it also is a very delicate colour scheme, this shows the music genre excellently. The layout is also very sophisticated which shows that acoustic genre is typically for more sophisticated people.

The model featured on the contents (also shown on the contents page) looks pale and gentle which also represents the gentle nature of the genre. One of the images is in black and white which is also a stereotypical convention of the acoustic genre. 

There are 2 different fonts used in this contents page. They are both sans serif which makes it easier for the audience to read. One the sub-headings of each section of the magazine, it is not bold and is about 16/18 in size, whereas the title for each page is in a bold font, it is about 12/14 in size, then moving to the actual page numbers. The page numbers are actually very bold and stand out most on the page, this is so the reader can see clearly what page, what is on. The font links to the house style because the same fonts are used throughout and on the front page. The colours used for the text is typically black, although on the front cover the masthead is white and certain key covers stories. The black and white show connotations of sophistication and a past-time favourite. This could suggest that the acoustic genre has been around for a while.

This magazine has 111 pages and the main article features on the 38th page.  The main article contains the girl on the front cover. and it shows a smaller version of it, in the contents page to indicate that, that page has the main story.

There are between 2 and 8 pages between the other articles. These articles are set out along 2 columns of text where 10 images are placed in the middle, these images feature near every column causing minimal white space on the contents page. Some images are in colour and some are in black and white, this show connotations the artist on that specific page is a lot more "vintage" as an artist, whereas some of the artists are in colour which could represent their music is a little more new and upbeat.

I think that the target audience would be people within the ages 30-40, or maybe a younger person who has a specific interest in acoustic music. The images are bright and colourful which will mean they will be more likely eye-catching than a plain magazine. This suits the target audience because people of a certain age will recognise people of a similar age more than models of an older or younger age, although there will definitely be some exceptions. The magazine is also sophisticated and delicate which suits this specific age range.

CONTENTS RESEARCH 1

Contents research 1 from amyibbotson


This influenced my research because it shows me what would be a good idea for what should be on a contents page. For example, I noticed that on many Q contents pages have a smaller image of the front cover on the front. 

FRONT COVER RESEARCH 4

On this magazine, the background is pink, this is because it could be aimed at a specific target audience. Stereotypically, pink is for girls, this relates back to, the woman [Katy Perry] in the image.

This relates to Perkins theory “Stereotypes are not simple”  implies that the modern audience should not just assume that stereotypical gendered media  is traditional however, in this case the pink, her costume and the addition of the flowers does seem stereotypically female and there is nothing on the front cover to appeal to males. 



The masthead is very simplistic and bold, it is in a sans serif font, it is black and contrasts from the pale pink background, this contrast makes the magazine look more appealing and eye-catching. In the masthead, there is gaps between each letter, the masthead is spacious and is extremely easy to read. Some of the letters, are filled with bright, eye-catching colours, this is effective because it makes it more distinctive. The title is placed at the top which is a common convention of music magazines, but part of the image is covering the masthead. This could mean the magazine is very popular and may not need the whole name on there to be recognised.

The image is in the middle of the front cover because this is the easiest way to communicate to the audience that Katy Perry is the main topic/article in the magazine. Back to the fact, the image is covering the title, shows the importance of her and how well known she is. People are usually attracted to the mainstream things. The stance of the model could attract a male audience, although she is not wearing skimpy clothing, she is looking directly into the camera passionately.

There is a date on the magazine, typically located under the masthead. This allows readers to know what issue it is, and the dates allow regular readers to know which magazines they have missed.

 On the front cover, the artists name is in a bold serif font. This suggests it is the main cover story because the rest of the cover stories don't stand out as much and use a sans serif font, not attracting as much attention to them.

The cover stories are located on the left hand side, and around the main story. Cover stories usually give the reader a small preview of what's inside to make it more intriguing and appealing to the reader. 










This is an exclusive, these are on the front of magazines to promote something attractive to a reader.

FRONT COVER RESEARCH 3

The third magazine front cover I chose to analyse was a Q one with the 1975 taking the front cover it is Indie Pop.

The masthead clashes with the rest of the front cover. It's alternative to the rest of the cover. It is in a serif font to show it is quite unique. It is also only one letter to show the simplicity to the magazine and it lets the target audience gather that the magazine inside is easy to understand. The target audience gather that the magazine inside is easy to understand. The masthead is actually quite big compared to the other simple mastheads on magazines. This implies it is quite a large media corporation and a large part of the population purchase it. The quote "The World's Best Music Magazine" this enables the target audience to see that there is no other magazine comparable to it and that they should buy no other.

The whole band is on the front cover (The 1975) they are all looking down the camera and this shows direct address with the reader. This is important because it catches the readers eye when purchasing a magazine. The boys are dressed the same to show the similarities between the band. Along with similar stances and facial expressions.

The black in their clothing shows connotations of darkness, this could indicate their lyrics are a little morbid and dark.

The magazine is completely colour co-coordinated (red, black and white), except for the yellow and orange at the bottom. With these standing out it makes the headings stand out, drawing people’s attention.

The banner at the top shows the magazine is a special / collectors addition. This brings a wider audience because some people collect magazines. The special is about Oasis a very popular band from a decade ago, this will incite Oasis fans to buy it.

The font is in a Sans Serif style because it is easier to read and it is used since it is a convention of Indie Pop music and makes it stand out on the page.

There is a lot of cover stories crammed into a small space down the sides of the magazine. The text is sometimes small, which breaks codes and conventions because it is so small and crammed.


This has influenced my ideas by making me see that using block colours actually look effective when you have a lot of cover stories on the front.

FRONT COVER RESEARCH 2

The second magazine front cover I chose to analyse was a NME one with Alex Turner [Arctic Monkeys] and Miles Kane on the front cover, it is Indie Rock.

The masthead is very bright and clashes with the rest of the front covers colour scheme. It is largely associated with Rock, Alternative and Indie Rock. The red shows connotations of danger and rebellion because NME cover a lot of "rebellious" music. The meaning of NME (New Music Express) is covered up, showing the makers are confident that their readers will know what it means.

The two people on the front cover (Alex Turner and Miles Kane) have direct address. This will catch the readers eye when they’re choosing a magazine as it catches their attention with someone looking at them.  The two boys are dressed the same to show the similarities between the two. Along with similar hair and similar facial expressions. 

The magazine is completely colour co-coordinated (red, black and white), except for the yellow at the top. With these standing out it makes the headings stand out, drawing people’s attention. The black and white, show connotations of old times, this could represent the two artists on the front page could be old time friends. The red shows connotations of danger or exoticness. This could represent the main cover story on the front, of Alex Turner possibly) having an affair.

The font is in a Sans Serif style because it is easier to read and it is used since it is a convention of Indie Rock music and makes it stand out on the page. Whereas on a different part of the front cover, there is only one cover story that is in a Serif font. This is because it is highlighting how many reviews it has had, and it is a little more importance. 

How this has influence on my ideas:

• I don't like the NME logo, it is too bold and big. I wouldn't use this because it shows it's not that popular because they feel they need to make it more bold.
• It shows me, that it can be effective to use more than one person for the image.
• I can use a simple colour scheme and it will still look appealing.

FRONT COVER RESEARCH 1

The magazine cover I chose to analyse first was a Q magazine with Kurt Cobain [Nirvana] on it, it is grunge and alternative.

The masthead is very bright compared to the rest of the front cover. The masthead also links to the genre  [Grunge / Alternative] because it is red and it has connotations of danger. The redness of the Q could suggest blood and death because the artist in the image was killed. It's alternative to the rest of the cover. It is in a serif font to show it is quite unique. It is also only one letter to show the simplicity to the magazine and it lets the target audience gather that the magazine inside is easy to understand. The target audience gather that the magazine inside is easy to understand. The masthead is actually quite big compared to the other simple mastheads on magazines. This implies it is quite a large media corporation and a large part of the population purchase it. The quote "The World's Best Music Magazine" this enables the target audience to see that there is no other magazine comparable to it and that they should buy no other.

The image only contains the lead singer of the band. This suggests the articles inside are mainly linked towards him and orientated around him. The artist's facial expression is very blank and has almost no emotion, the facial expression links to the artist's music genre. He stares down the camera because it engages the target audience's attention. His facial expression is blank because of his input on music. He strived for an alternative, unique ways of doing things. 

The banner across the middle draws in the target audience'sattention to the main purpose of the magazine. The bannerhas a torn effect, this suggests there was a "tear" in the band, (a major problem. Ex. Kurt Cobains death), because it is across the middle of the artist's chest. It also shows a rebellion, because it breaks codes and conventions, referring back to how the grunge/alternative music was classified as a rebellion at the time. The banner also opens up to a wider target audience because it is aimed at teenagers, because teenagers (generally) go through a stage of rebellion, and this would be attractive to them because of this different, unusual magazine front cover. It also shows that imperfections are ok, this is useful to the younger target audience who go through feeling anxious and insecure.
It is a 25 year special after Nirvana [the bands] uprising. the phrase "The Year Grunge Broke" shows how much the band has impacted the Grunge music genre. 


The colour scheme on this magazine is extremely simple. The magazine is all black/grey, white and red. The red shows connotations of danger in the music genre they are showing, because many people are, generally, very unaccepting towards rebellious music. The black/grey and white show how uncommon the grunge and alternative genre is nowadays. It also shows connotations of death, because black is usually worn at funerals, suggesting that someone may have died. Whereas the white could show connotations of peace, it could give the reader the impression that the band has now come to peace with the artist's death.

The font is in a Sans Serif style because it is easier to read and it is used since it is a convention of grunge/alternative music and makes it stand out on the page. Whereas on a different part of the front cover, there is only one cover story that is in a Serif font. This is because it is highlighting how many reviews it has had, and it is a little more importance.

How this has influence on my ideas:

• I love the simplicity of the Q logo and think that I might use a simple magazine masthead. 
• It shows me, magazine covers don't have to be positive and happy.
• I can use a simple colour scheme and it will still look appealing.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

Front cover research from amyibbotson

I now know what codes and conventions are and I am now able to use this in further research. I will be looking at them in my research to help me finalize an idea.

RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS 1 - BAUER

Bauer Media Group, Europe's largest privately - owned media group, in 2008. The group is a worldwide media organisation, it offers magazines in 19 different countries, as well as online, TV and radio stations. Bauer Media joined the Bauer Media Group in January 2008 following the acquisition of Emap plc's consumer and specialist magazines, radio, TV, online and Digital business. Bauer employs over 6,400 people. Bauer is a multi-platform UK-based Media Group, it has two main divisions - Magazines and Radio - widely recognised across the globe. Today Bauer Media spans over 80 popular brand names covering a diverse range of specific topics and interests. 

Bauer Media publishes magazines for a wide target audience, for almost everyone, including men, women, adults and children.

Bauer Medias female audience covers a lot of interests. For example, the interest for women is celebrities, lifestyle and health. An example of magazines of this type is Heat. In Heat, a common topic that pops up is celebrity gossip and news.
Another example of a women's magazine is Mother & Baby. In Mother & Baby it is common lifestyle tips and informing women how to raise a child.

Bauer Media also publishes magazines for a male audience. A wide range of these are lifestyle magazines, the male audience is important because it is an effective way if trying to prompt men to buy and read magazines.

Bauer is Britain's biggest magazine publisher and has hugely successful titles for people who are passionate about their sport, cars, motorcycling and hobbies. There are over 35 magazines in their portfolio, such as Motorcycle News (MCN), Car, Digital Photo, Classic Cars, MATCH!, Angling Times, Golf World and Today's Golfer. These are all specific interests. 

Bauer Media also has a very broad music magazine market, a few examples are, Q, Mojo and KERRANG! Q focuses on music and lifestyles searching audience. Mojo continues an on-going crusade for timeless music and KERRANG! offers it's audience an insight of the rock lifestyle every week. 

The music magazines Bauer produces, are the "world's biggest" selling weekly magazines and they are the original multi-platform youth brand for all rock genres. In the magazines, they deliver the latest news, reviews, gig guides, exclusive features, posters and more.

CONTENTS - PRELIM TASK

This is my final idea contents page. I think this is appropriate because, it is not too crowded with text or images. This is effective because it will draw a reader because it is not too text heavy.

FRONT COVER - PRELIM

 I think this is appropriate for my front cover image because, he doesn't look blurry and looks as if he is looking at the cover story. You can tell this is for students because the masthead is "College Life".

FRONT COVER DRAFT - PRELIM

This is my front cover draft. I chose to do it like this because it doesn't look crammed and the cover stories are attractive for young people. You can tell it's for young people because the title is "College Life" which is a really easy indicator that this is for students. The cover stories are attractive because everyone likes free things and there are hints to help them with exams.

SELECTION AND REJECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

I could use this as my front cover because it is nice and clear, he looks very powerful and strong. I am also able to crop. In the future, I think it would be a good idea that, I take it in a portrait mode instead of landscape. I would also fix the creases in his shirt. The way he is facing away from the camera, breaks codes and conventions because typically, the model is facing directly down the camera. 

I could use this as my front cover because, he is making direct eye contact with the camera. An improvement I could have made on this photograph, would be to focus more on his face, eliminating the objects in the background. I should have also taken this photograph in portrait mode.

I don't think I can use this photograph as my front cover image because, he is moving and his hand is blurred. This breaks codes and conventions because models usually, are always in a still stance. The models' facial expression is also not appropriate, because he is not looking at the camera and his mouth is open.

I don't think I can use this photograph as my front cover image because, he is moving around and this makes it blurry. You also cannot see his face, this breaks codes and conventions because, typically people purchase magazines where you are able to see the models' face.