Double Page Spread Deconstruction

This double page spread had two columns of text, I think that this easy on the reader as when you open a magazine, you don't want to see tonnes of text. One half of the double page spread in an image, which is appropriate to the context of the text. The main image is anchored in the bottom left, as are all There is one pull quote in the middle of the second column, it is highlighted in a blue box with white text. This makes it stand out from the whole article.
The article title is "The Teenagers" this intrigues the reader and makes us want to know what is so fascinating about teenagers to be able to write an article about them. It uses all of the magazines theme colours, white, black and blue. This keeps the magazine in order and doesn't make it stick out from the rest of the pages.

Contents Page Deconstruction

Text/font
The text is a very girly kind, this kind of hints at the fact that this magazine is aimed at women. The sans-serif headings have  very nice effect against the block capitals in the description. All of the text is in black, this contrasts with the pale background well. I like how the word "contents" is in 3 different lines, I think it is very different and individual.
Images
There is one image, and it is also the background. It looks good as the lighting id perfect on both the model and the background. The whole image follows the sam colour scheme and it looks very elegant and feminine. The image is anchored on the far left by a caption.
Composition
The framing of this image looks great, I like how the models shoe is over the title and I think the overall pose of the model is unusual to see on a magazine contents page. It makes the magazine look more individual and different from any others I've seen.
Colour
I think that this magazine has a very unusual colour scheme, it looks very professional and individual. You can tell that the magazine is aimed at women just by looking at the colours and the text.

Front Cover Deconstruction

Text/font
The font on this magazine front cover is large, bold, serif font. This gives the magazine a look that is bust but not cluttered. I think I will use this in my magazine, however I want to use a little sans-serif font for the main sell line. I also like how they have the email address at the bottom of the page, I will use this as well.
Colour
There is very basic colour, only 3 colours used but I think it looks very effective and professional. I'm thinking about using the same colour scheme on my front cover as it appeals to all ages and all genders. I think the black and white image is very interesting and it makes the magazine different as most use a colour image for the front cover. I will consider using this idea.
Framing/composition
I think the framing of this front cover looks reasonably ok, however I don't like how part of his hat has been cropped out, I don't think it looks right. I do like how the text is over the top of the models had though, I will use this technique in my magazine planning.

Double Page Spread Deconstruction

This double page spread has 4 columns of text, I think that this easy on the reader as when you open a magazine, you don't want to see tonnes of text. One half of the double page spread in an image, which is appropriate to the context of the spread. The main image is not anchored but most images on double page spreads are.There is one pull quote which is in very large writing at the top of the first page, "people think I'm an attention seeker, but I'm just honest" This encourages the audience to read what the article has to say.The article title is the pull quote, by the look of it, this intrigues the reader and makes us want to know what has encouraged this person to say this. It uses all of the magazines theme colours, black, white and red. The fact that the models clothes have the exact same colour scheme as the magazine helps as it isn't anything extraordinary.

Contents Page Deconstruction

Masthead
The masthead is half way down the page just above where the page numbers and titles are. It is the usual logo for Kerrang! Magazine, in the same font style and size. I am going to put the masthead of my magazine on the contents page too.
Text
The text is mainly describing what is on each page. except for the column on the left of the page. It would only be understood by regular Kerrang! Magazine readers as there is abbreviations and colloquialisms that only fans know the meaning of.
Font
The text is all in capitals, because that is the style of the magazine. All font is the same throughout the whole magazine, it doesn't change. The titles are in larger, bold writing, so that they stand out from the rest of the text.
Images
There are six images used on this page, but only one of them stands out. The main image is much larger than the others and it takes up more room than the rest. The others are small and dotted about the page, not taking up too much room. There is writing over some of the pictures, but not too much so the image is still visible. I don't think I am going to use writing over my images, just so that they are clear to see.
Composition
The page is set out quite well and the text is easy to read. The images suite the purpose of the magazine and they match the context of the text too. The main image takes up half of the page, and the text takes up the other half, I think this looks well balanced and its nice to look at, I might use this in my magazine.
Colour
Including the images, there is a variety of colour, but the colour scheme of the actual magazine is black, white, red and yellow. The main image is very different to the others, its main colour is blue and this makes it stand out more, I like it. The colours give the magazine a range of colours and it has a brilliant effect.

Front Cover Deconstruction

Font

The font on this image is bold and the colour matches the colour scheme of the magazine. I like how the colours stand out against the dark image.

Text

There isn't much text on the front cover, just titles and sell lines. This is good because it doesn't distract the audience from the main story, it also makes the reader more likely to buy the magazine since there isn't much information given on the front cover.

Colour

I like how the colours are red black and white as they do not attract a specific audience, it gives the magazine a wider target audience. 

Body Language

The pose that Cheryl Cole is doing would be known as a romantic/sexual pose usually directed at the singe male or the sensual, dreamy self-absorbed female icon, only hinting at availability.

Double Page Spread Deconstruction

This double page spread had two columns of text, I think that this easy on the reader as when you open a magazine, you don't want to see tonnes of text. One half of the double page spread in an image, which is appropriate as it is the lead singer of "MCR" - the band  the double page spread is focused on. The main image is anchored in the bottom left, as are all of the other images.
There is one pull quote which is in very large writing at the top of the second page, "we're being the best MCR we can be!" This encourages the audience to read what the article has to say about MCR.
The fact that the actual name of the band 'My Chemical Romance' is abbreviated to 'MCR' indicates that this article is not for first time readers, you need to know the background information to understant the article.
The article title is "world exclusive" this intrigues the reader and makes us want to know what is so exclusive about the article. It uses all of the magazines theme colours, red background, white text with a black border, this makes it stand out from the black and white image.

Contents page deconstruction

Masthead

The name of this magazine is Q. On this contents page the contents mastead is positioned in the same title bar as the  title in the top left hand corner of the page. This is common sence as when you read a magazine you read from left to right. The contents title is in white, bold, capital letters against a black background which makes it stand out from the rest of the white background.

Necessary Information
The page inclused the masthead and the date. These are positioned at the top of the page in a black strip, they are written in white to make them stand out and they are easily identified by the audience.
Text
The text on this contents page shows what is a title and what is information. The main title of each page is in bold capitals and the explanation is in regular serif font. The explanation is always in a smaller font than the title. I wouldnt say this test is formal, just clear enough for people to understand. The purpose if this text is to navigate the reader through the magazine with ease. The numbers are an important feature on the contents page at it is the key to find your way through the magazine.
Images
There are 2 images on this page, one large one for the main story and one smaller one for a not so important story. The images are anchored with a caption that is the page number and story title. I think the framing of this page is good because there isnt a lot of text, and only two images which helps the reader understand things more as the page is not busy.
Colour
There are 3 colours used, red black and white. These colours are used throughout the magazine and are the recognisable colours of Q magazine.

Front cover deconstruction

Masthead
The masthead of this magazine is behind the main image, I like this as it makes the main story look effective and it makes it stand out the the reader even more against the blue background.
Images
The fact that Billie Joe is the main image it automatically appeals to all Green Day fans, and also the fans of NME magazine.
Essential Information
The magazine includes all of the essential information that it should - issue number, barcode, main image and sell lines, this makes the magazine look professional and sellable, which is what I need to do with my own magazine.
Text
The text stands out agains all of the back ground as the mastead is in red font and the main story is in white text. The other sell lines are in red text which stands out agains the blue background and Billie Joe's black clothing.
Composition
I like the layout of this front cover as it's plain, simple and easy to follow. It tells you straight away what the magazine is about and the main image is striking and really stands out.
I think the colour is interesting on this cover and it isn't biased toward any gender. It shows that this magazine can be read by male and female fans. Also, the colours contrast and this adds a fun and friendly feel.

Magazine Research

What I've learned so far:
Every magazine needs:
-Masthead; title
-Essential information; date, issue number, bar code etc
-Main sell line; enigma code teases the audience and draws them in
-Sub-head; explains the enigma/teaser
-Sell lines; articles
-Main image; creates an image/identity for the magazine
-Colour; the colour pallette is restricted to a few contrasting colours for maximum impact.
I will have to make sure that my magazine includes all of these aspects to make it look sellable.



We also learned about different poses and how they can attract certain audience:
Invitational: The mouth tents to be shut with just the hint of a smile. The eyes are emphasised, the look is mysterious with the head tilted or looking back over the shoulder.
Romantic/sexual: Either the overs "come on" usually directed at the single male or the sensual, dreamy self-absorbed female icon, only hinting at availability.
Super-smiler: A fill face shot, usually with a big smile. Head thrown back, the look is confident and assertive.
Chocolate box: This look features a slight parting of the lips with a glimps of teeth. The face is shot full on or slightly turned away. This emphasis is on the flawless beauty.

Introduction

For my media course I will be creating a front cover, contents page and a double page spread of a magazine. I will be posting every piece of coursework and each stage of my progress on this blog. I must use images that I have taken and original text that I have written. Before this begins, I will be designing a preliminary task, which is a college magazine using images that I have framed and taken around the campus. Although it isn't the finished take it must still look professional and sellable.