Introduction&Research

The first stage of my process to create a music magazine is to research what existing magazines are like in the market today. I have found some examples of magazine covers on the internet and I am now going to analyse them to see what techniques the creators have used to draw their target audience in to buy the magazine. I'm going to explore what connotations the image presents, why they have set it out in a particular layout and the use of language, colour and font. My aim is to be able to see how they have linked their representation to their target audience and how it works as a magazine over all.

BLENDER

Research from Wikipedia:

Blender is an Amercian music magazine that bills itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more". It is also known for sometimes steamy polaroids of female celebrities. It compiles lists of albums, artists and songs, including both "best of" list and "worst of lists". In each issue, there is a review of an artist's entire discography, with each album being analyzed in turn.

The front cover of a magazine attracts a particular audience depending on the artist that is on the front. On the cover of this magazine Jay Z is the featured artist which will attract the R&B/Rap audience. Also a Black American audience may be attracted as well as White British because of the artist and also those who are interested in fashion and dressing smart because of his style.

The bold red font with the slash through is suggestive about Jay Z's character. Also this style of font is generally seen to be more modern and informal and is easy to take in this text by the reader.

The information around the side of the front cover tells the audience about all the extras that are in the magazine such as "the 100 greatest Indie-Rock albums ever". This is another thing that would make the audience want to buy the magazine. I think that i will include extras on the front cover of my magazine as i think it works well.

CLASSIC FM

Classic FM is a magazine based on the Classic FM radio station that plays classical music. This is the theme for this magazine and therefore their target audience is those who like this style of music.

The featured artist on the front of this magazine is Myleene Class. I think she is good for the cover as she is a classical pianist so she links in with the theme. Also she is a young role model to many teens as she has appeared on television programmes, used to be in a pop band and is a television presenter. I think they have put her on the cover to attract a wider audience.

Another thing that makes people want to buy this magazine is the free CD that comes with it. This is to make it seem like they are getting a good deal. I think something free included in a magazine but you would have to select carefully what you choose, for example this magazine has included "the essential piano album" so it links in with the style of the magazine.

The caption "The UK's Favorite Classical Magazine" suggests that is a popular magazine and this could also influence the reader into buying it.

SPIN MAGAZINE

Research from Wikipedia:

Spin is a music magazine. Founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr. It competes with industry stalwart Rolling Stone. In its early years the magazine was noted for it broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-originated rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was electric and bold, if sometimes haphazard. It pointedly provided a national alternative to the Rolling Stone's more established-oriented style.

The featured artist on the cover of this magazine is Kanye West, a well known Rap artist of today. This image is a good way of attracting the audience that they want.

The font that has been used is modern and easy to read, it usual suggests that it is informal.

"BEST OF 2007" at the top of the cover is an insight to what is inside of the magazine and this will make people want to buy it. I think their target audience would be from age sixteen plus for both males and females.

I think the choice of colour pallet they have used has worked well, the green background colour isn't too bold which would make it look messy but the use of the fluorescent pinks and yellows that just catch certain places adds to the effect and makes it look more interesting.