Magazine Analysis- Case Study.

1.   Colour in Magazines.

KERRANG!

The colours used are mostly red, yellow and orange. I think these colours go with the genre that KERRANG! Is being is mostly based on rock and ‘alternative’ styles on music. The colours red, yellow and orange could also be associated with fire which is then commonly associated with rock bands. The title however is white and bold which makes it stand out from the ‘loud’ colours used in the front cover and background. I think the white colour will attract the attention of an audience because it’s completely different to its background. Also, I think that the colour yellow in particular is used to highlight particular information such as special features like ‘6 freaking weird posters’ which is a feature which ma interest a large amount of their readers.

Analyse the colour that is used in the magazine:

Throughout the magazine the main colours used are red, yellow, black and white. I think red has the connotations of love an danger, however in this context I think its used more for anger rather than love because KERRANG! Doesn’t really have any content about love etc. Also, yellow is used to be very eye catching as most of the special features are written or have yellow around them which makes it very apparent what the magazine is trying to show off. Lastly, KERRNAG! Uses a lot of white in their titles in particular which I think is a good way to make your titles stand out and especially as most pages have coloured backgrounds it makes the titles really ‘pop’.

2) Analysing the Front Cover of a magazine:

Front page elements.

The main image on KERRANG!’S front cover is of the band that is one of the main features in the magazine. Their picture is places over the title which shows the picture very clearly. I think the picture looks friendly to the reader because it’s quite a fun image and all four of the band members are smiling and look like they’re not taking it too seriously.

The title is big and bold on the cover however in this case it is positioned behind the main image which suggests that the image is the main focus and is more important than the title. This could also suggest that because KERRANG! Is already a well-known magazine they’re confident enough to not have to display their title so much all the time to continue to gain profits and the interest of their audience.

The articles displayed on the front cover are of exclusives from bands, ‘freaking weird’ posters and features from solo singers too. I think this would interest their target audience because KERRANG! Is a rock music magazine and most of the features are to do with or are about people associated with rock music so readers will be reading about their interests.

The language used in KERRANG! Is slightly informal, they use words such as ‘freaking’, ‘till’ and ‘mega’ which are all informal however not out of place, I think this style of writing suits the laid back feel you get from KERRANG! I don’t think it would particularly grab the reader’s attention because my assumption is that people who are into rock music etc. wouldn’t be shocked by using ‘til’ instead of ‘until’ however if you were used to reading more formal magazines it may be slightly different.

The colours are mainly red, yellow, and black and white. Red has connotations of love and anger; however I think it’s more anger in this case. Yellow makes everything stand out more to the reader and the black backgrounds compliment this by giving a basic background to showcase the features articles and pictures affectively. I think the colours really suit the magazine because they’re both bright and simple at the same time. Also the colours on the front cover almost seem like fire which could also link to the magazine seen as its rock.

I think the price is very affordable. Its only £2.20 which most people wouldn’t see as a great expense. It also does contain many features such as things to do and different posters so it’s worth the money you’d pay for it.

 I think the target audience for my magazine is both genders ages 16 plus. I think this because KERRANG! Has many features so there is likely to be something in there for everyone as long as they like rock or ‘alternative’ styles of music.  I think a few examples of colloquial words and phrases used to attract the reader are ‘freaking’, ‘mega’, ‘BOOM BOOM’ and ‘when Rock stars lose their shit’ which is quite informal and not something you’d see in average magazines but seems almost normal when it’s in KERRANG!

3) Analysing the contents of a magazine:

The contents page of the magazine I’m analysing, KERRANG! Is set out quite simply as It’s based on a white background. This is affective to the reader because it is then able to put the main focus on the contents and features that the magazine has to offer.

The thing that jumps out to the audience on the contents page most however, is the main image of a singer who features in the magazine later on. It’s a large image and draws your attention to it because of how the singer is dressed (in a mask) and because of the comical caption ‘Corey wasn’t a fan of photographers taking crotch shots’. This image is very suited to the target audience because its music based (which KERRANG! Is) and is obviously based on either rock or ‘alternative’ styles of music which the readers of KERRANG! Are likely to be interested in. Also the word ‘contents’ is placed in a washed-out style circle which suits the feel of the contents page and also give the opportunity for them to highlight that ‘Its only 128 days ‘til download!’ which is something the target audience would be interested in, also.

4) Analysing the double page article of a magazine.

The double page spread I chose to write about in KERRANG! Is an article about a band names ‘Fall Out Boy’ titled “Pete and I make up one member of Fall Out Boy’.

As soon as you go onto the page of the article the main things that get your attention are the title, they use three different fonts, two different colours and underline some phrases in the title to emphasise it. The colours really make it stand out, also. However the main thing that I think stands out are the image used and the uniqueness of the images. The image consists of pictures of all members of the band merged into one. For example an eye from one member next to the eye of another etc. It’s almost as if the pictures are like Polaroid’s too which is quite different and I think it looks really good when the one image is made using all of the different faces. The theme of the article is celebrity lifestyle. It’s based on the members relationships on and off stage and the fact that two in particular, saying that ‘None of us (the two members) are complete in our capacity in the band. We need each other.’ I think this article is interesting because although Fall Out Boy are known for their music, it’s good for their fans to ‘get to know’ them more than by just simply listening to their music and this article gives fans an insight into their personal relationships with each other and the dynamic within the band.

5) Analysing the editor’s letter in a magazine.

The Editors letter in KERRANG! Is along the right hand side of the page. It looks minimalistic which is contrasting to the other features on the contents page which are more eye catching and ‘in your face’. I think this is because KERRANG! is already a well-known magazine with many people reading it month after month, so generally they focus on the content rather than ‘introducing’ it to new potential readers. On top of the letter, there’s a picture of the editor in a casual setting with his/a dog which initially shows the reader the laid back feel of the letter itself and also shows the friendly, laid back approach he’s trying to create. The language is also informal which adds to the relaxed feel where words such as mega and questions which make the letter seem more personal and directed to the audience. Also the way it’s written is less formal for example instead of starting it with ‘dear readers’ or a more formal approach, it’s started with ‘Okay, first things first’ which seems that the editor already feels comfortable with the audience and it’s although you’re having a conversation with a friend.