Textual Analysis for "Hip-Hop" contents page

This is the contents page from Hip-Hop magazine. The layout of this page is quite simple as there is only one focus image at the right hand side of the page. This is an image of the popular rapper 50 Cent. To the left of the image the rest of the page is taken up by the magazines features. The main colour used is white as this is the colour used for the entire background. There is a colour scheme of Black and grey for the features and red is used to show the page number and a heading.a heading. The artist himself is also in colour.

The artist is the main focus of this page as he s placed from the top of the page to the bottom. This takes over half of the entire page and immediately attracts the audiences attention. The artists pose reflects his attitude which is also shown throughout the magazine in the other images and articles. He is dressed in everyday clothes that fit in with his music style and his personality which is reflected in this image. His skin tone has been edited as it is perfectly clear which would not be normal for his everyday life. On his jeans there is a logo "50 cent" which shows his pride in the music in which he produces and he shows this in the way he positions himself to the camera.

His name and page number are in bold lettering compared to the rest of the text shows that he is one of the main features in the magazine and this attracts the audiences attention. Although most of the main features are presented on the front cover this is another important feature as it is the largest one on the page and shows the audience that it too is a main feature as the contents page is the first page seen when the magazine is opened and they will be drawn to the image.
On the left hand side of the image there is a list of features that appear inside the magazine. These are in a medium sized black font which is not very big but easily noticed by the audience. There are brief descriptions underneath the specific sections which are smaller in size and presented in a grey font. This is useful as the audience can find out some details into what they can expect from the article they may choose read inside the magazine.

Overall the page is quite plain and a bit boring as the only focus is the image of the artist. And if the artist doesn't appeal to the specific audience then they may not want to find out the other features included in the magazine.

Textual Analysis for "Mixmag" contents page

This is the contents page from Mixmag magazine. The layout of this magazine is quite simple as there are only 3 focus images presented and the features are listed in specific places throughout the layout.

The title of the magazine is above the main focus image but is not in a very large font so does not attract the most attention. The font used for "mixmag" is iconic to the magazine and is shown throughout the top of the magazine on every page.

The main colour of the magazine is black because of the background and there is a white and yellow colour scheme throughout used for all the text. The main image is set to the left of the page and is framed by text at the bottom and the right hand side of it. The image is of two women, looking to be in their early 20s on a night out in a club. The magazine itself is about dance and clubbing so this image represents that in a way that the audience can relate to significantly. The image is in colour which makes it stand out from the black background behind it. There page number in which this feature is found is placed at the bottom left hand corner of the image but is in a very large white font which also attracts the audiences attention to the particular feature. Underneath the page number there is a brief description of the feature. This not as easily recognised but if the reader is interested in finding out details about the image.

Underneath the main image there is a picture of a CD. This shows what the reader will get if they purchase the magazine. There is text surrounding this image which gives the audience details into what the CD is about and the songs that are included on it. The numbers used for the track listing are in yellow and the song artist is in bold white font next to it. There is then details into the name of the song and other details regarding it are also in a white font but this time it is not bold but in italics to separate it from the other details.

To the right of the main image is a list of features that are included within the magazine. At the top of this list there is an image of "Josh Wink". The audience can relate to this image as he is a well known artist in this specific music genre. There is a page number next to the image which is in big white font that shows the audience the page in which the article can be found. This will attract the readers attention as the readers may want to find out more details about the artist and the number can let the audience find the page quicker.

The title "contents" is shown in the top right hand corner of the magazine and helps the audience identify what page they are viewing. This is in quite a large white font and is easily noticed by the audience. The date in which the magazine is published is placed between the magazine title and the contents page heading. This is in a bold yellow font and can easily be seen on the magazine.

Overall this contents page is quite appealing as the images used are brightly coloured and can relate well to the audience. The colour scheme used is an inverted design of a regular black and white layout. They yellow writing also stands out from the black background and can be easily seen and focused on throughout the magazine.

Textual Analysis of "Rolling Stone" Magazine

The second magazine that i am going to analyse is Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone is a US based magazine relating to Music, Politics and Popular Culture. The target audience of this magazine is young adults as everything it covers is up to date and new. Rolling stone features music and artists from all genres. All easily recognised by their audience and popular in mainstream culture.

The Jonas Brothers are the main focus of this magazine. Their image is a medium shot where all members of the band are shown from the waist up. The image covers most of the masthead but the audience still knows what magazine it is because the font and lettering of the masthead is well known and a popular mainstream magazine.

The group members are all dressed in black and white but the magazine itself is in colour. They are all posing in a layering order as the lead vocalist is at the front of the group and the other two members are slightly behind. The group name is layered over the top of the image. The writing is white with a red outline and is in a bold font. Underneath the heading the subheading which describes the feature "God! Girls! Guitars! " shows the audience what the group is all about. The wording used is alliteration which is used to entertain the audience and attract attention to the particular feature.

Up the left hand side of the magazine there are some feature plugs which gives the audience an insight into the contents of the particular magazine. They are also in white and overlap the group image. Each of the feature pugs is separated by half a red line which lefts the audience identify the separate features.

There is a diagonal strap line in the left hand corner of the magazine, this also shows a feature in the magazine but it attracts attention as it overlaps the masthead and provides the magazine with different design feature. The plug is also in grey scale like most of the magazine cover and is designed to look like a strap line but one that fits over the masthead like a sticker.

Textual Analysis of "NME" magazine

NME is a British indie/rock magazine that is published and released every week. The main languages used throughout this magazine is informal and provides a good relationship with the reader.
The masthead of the magazine "NME" is placed in the top left corner of the front page. In is in bold red, outlined in white so it stands out from the main background colour of the magazine. Underneath the masthead there is a subheading "new music express" which tells the audience what the masthead stands for. Both the masthead and the subheading are in uppercase and in a clean cut font that is easy to recognise and iconic to this specific magazine.

The main headline of the magazine "the future 50" shows the audience what the specific article is about. This headline is in bold white and is also in uppercase so it stands out dramatically to the audience. There is shadowing of the "50" onto the background of the magazine which makes it look as though this headline is standing out of the cover. There is also a mass heading underneath the main headline which is in both upper and lower cast which lists some details into what the main article is about.

The white also stands off dramatically from the background which is striped with diagonal stripes from the top left of the magazine which increase in size as the go across the centre of the magazine. These stripes are in Blue, pink and navy and they all stand ahead in the magazine so the audience can see them as a focus.

The images used on the cover are two medium close ups of a duet group, Crystal Castles. The images have been cut in half and placed on either side of the magazine cover. The audience can recognise who they are but also allows the main headline to be placed directly in between the two artists. This is the second main feature article of the magazine but is linked with the images as though it is the main one.

At the bottom o the magazine there are some plugs which reveals some of the stories featured inside the magazine. Both these plugs are represented by images and surrounded by orange boxes so they an stand out from the background and the main focus images. There is also a bar code placed in the right hand corner of the magazine which is quite small so isn't a main focus for the audience.

In the top right hand corner of the magazine there is a plug revealing a free item that is included inside the magazine. The words are in upper case and represented by an image of the free gift that is inside. This is also placed in the centre of an orange box to help it stand out from the main background.

Foundation Portfolio

Producing the front cover, contents page and a double page spread of a New Music Magazine

This task includes making the front page, content page and a double page spread of a New Music Magazine. I have looked at the key concepts that could be applied to the magazine and used the acronym LIIAR - Language, Institution, Ideology, Audience and Representation to do this.

L - Language
The language in this magazine will be represented through the use of photographs, text, fonts and the masthead of the magazine. It will also be reprsented by the coulours and texture the magazine reveals and the entire layout of the magazine.


I - Institution
The institution reffers to the publisher who makes the magazine, and where the magazine is produced.

IPC media- is a high selling UK consumer magazine publisher who publishes a variety of music magazines to a variety of music genres. An example of a magazine they produce is NME.
Emap-
Future-


I - Ideology
The ideology behind the magazine are the ideas and questions used to produce it. These can reflect the audience of the magazine as there will be ideas about "why the magazine was produced?" and " who is it produced for?" The ideologoy of a music magazine will also be to entertain but inform people of the music industry and will give positive feedback on the artists they are representing.


A - Audience
There are many different types of audience that can be reflected in a music magazine. the target audiences for each magazine is decided by the language decided for the magazine, including the use of images, colour and style of font. For example darker colours are used mainly to reflect heavier and stronger styles of music. Where as bright colours would suggest a more fun and energetic style. Another factor that could be used to appeal to the audience they are targeting is through the artists and bands used.

R - Representation
The representation presented in a music magazine reflects the genre of music that has been chosen. Some magazines sucha as "Kerrang" and "HipHop Collection" represent a certain type of music which will only appeal to a certain audience. Where as "Rolling Stone" will appeal to a huge variety of people as there is a veriety of music genres presented. Also music magazines will represent the artist/group on the front cover which will also appeal to a variety of people. If the target audience of the magazine is "young females" they are mre likely to place a picture of a "young female" for their target audience to relate to. Where as those interested in "group" music will be more likely to purchase a magazine that is representing a group on the front cover.

Evaluation of Preliminary Task.

In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

How does your media product represent particlar social groups?

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Who would be the audience for your media product?

How did you attract/address your audience?

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Looking back at the preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression fom it to the full product?