Double Page spread Analysis -2

 This double page spread uses a typical convention such as page numbers, along with the month and year of issue.  In this double page spread the main image consist of the artist Saif Ali Khan is sitting in a leather seated convertible car, wearing an expensive watch and pair sunglasses.  He appears to be driving into a ranch; this all connotes wealth and success as a ranch is a large piece land which is very expensive, along with his convertible car, expensive watch and sunglasses which are all luxuries. This in the Asian community shows status and stereotypical Asian are status conscious.

This image of the artist is taken at an angle, this shot has been used so the reader appears to be looking up at Saif Ali Khan, reinforcing his higher status. This image is staged and not a natural image showing his fame and significance in the film and music industry. The introduction informs us that Saif Ali Khan is a producer, actor and musician, showing how diverse and skilled he is as an artist. The name blender means a mix; therefore they use artists with a variety of skills like Saif Ali Khan in association with the magazine title showing a blend of different media from movies to music. The copy uses language devices such as alliteration to engage the reader an example of this is “sweet song of success.” The alliteration also sticks in the readers mind.

Page 44 and 45 is the main article, it begins with a large speech mark this shows the reader that the article will be a question and answer interview. The article is structured in columns along with division lines helping to organise the page and making it more readable, this typical convention is used in magazines. The questions in the article are highlighted in bold to help them stand out which is used to capture the reader. The background on page 44 is white where as on page 45 it is black these two colours are contrasting helping them both to stand out and catch the reader’s eye. This page also follows other conventions such as the page number, month and year of issue on the bottom of both pages.

On page 44 the caption above the image reads “this is my Tom Cruise look” these types of quotes are used to show the audience that they have a western side to them. This method is used to cater for a larger market audience and to a variety of media interests. There is a floating quote on page 45 which reads “I enjoy playing the guitar it’s a wonderful feeling” this shows the artist is very diverse, as in the interview it asks him questions about his new film. Floating quote’s are used to attract the reader into reading the whole article. The interviewee also asks about his activities on social networking sites for instance Twitter and his Facebook page, social networking sites are a growing industry, where artist promote themselves for free on these sites.  The use of IT has increased, during the interviewing the artist suggest social networking sites which shows that the magazine is adapting and changing to the modern technological world.

The article continues onto the next page, here the interview continues, it also consist of a timeline of Saif Ali khan’s career this highlights the key points in his career showing the most significant epoch such as when he stared in the hit movie “Kal Ho Naa Ho” in 2003. This was imperative as the movie was such a big hit, he also won many awards  for Best Supporting Actor in the Zee Cine Awards, National Film Awards, Star Screen Awards and the Filmfare Awards. This was a huge turning point of his career as it led to many movies as well as him finding out about his passion in others arts such as music and producing. The images on this page are more natural than the previous pages this connotes realism helping the audience to relate to him.

Having thoroughly analysed the 6 pages spreads the pages were detailed enough, this is something I hope not to do in my own magazine. Overall by analysing this double page spread I have learnt about the conventions of a double page spread, which I should incorporate when constructing my own double page spared such as the page number, month and year of issue. I also hope to have more copy than this blender issue; I would also lay it out in a differently as this layout is very plain and not so eye catching like some of the other spreads.

Double Page Spread Analysis -1

In this double page the key image is of the band “The Teenagers”. The font used on this spread makes the writing easy to read relating to the target audience. The title of this article is the band’s name; it is easily identified as it is highlighted in blue. Other important information is also highlighted in blue such as the “need to know” box which contains other information. The quotes from the band are also highlighted in the same colour as the title “of course we are a sexual band were the teenagers and that’s all they think about”. This quote also relates to the teenage target audience. The use of highlighting helps the information to stand out it also links the information together and presents it as one.

The left hand side of the page consists of a large picture of the band it seems as if the picture is taken from a high angle, this helps the audience to see all three members of the band sitting on a bed. They are wearing casual clothes surrounded by different pictures which are stuck on the wall, this mise-en-scene helps to reinforce a typical teenage boy’s room this is achieved through their laid back facial expressions and the pictures and posters stuck up on their walls. This helps the audience to identify with the band as it is something they most probably have in their room. However, at the same time they aspire to be more like them as they are famous. In the left hand corner there is a small “need to know” box which appears to be ripped out of a school book, or note pad which carries connotation of adolescence which would relate back to the band’s name “The Teenagers” showing their childish side. The box also sticks out from it surrounding, suggesting it is important information as it is contrasting with the rest of the page and the background.

The article is written on the right hand page. The page here is again further divided into two half’s, one half about the band, and the other half about bands that are similar to them. The background colour and the use of a division line is used to separate the page. This separation could represent the segregation of this band and other bands. The colour scheme used for the main article about “The Teenagers” background consist of black writing while the other remaining article based on similar bands is on a black background with white writing. Both articles use contrasting colours in order for them to help the writing to stand out. In the article it says “NME loves” this is added support to the band by the magazine which in turn could help increase the bands sales, again showing the segregation as this band is supported by the magazine and the others are not. This could also suggest that the band is a new and an upcoming group to watch.  At the bottom of “The Teenagers” article there is a red box which consists of a website address which is another feature added to attract more readers in order to find more information about the band and the magazine.

Contents Page Analysis -2

The blender July 2010 there is a range of different artists featured from a range of different genres (Eminem who is rapper and Lady Gaga who is a pop artist) and industries showing that the magazine is very diverse and caters for many different genres. They use a variety of artist, genres to target a wider audience.

The contents page depicts a simple sophisticated colour scheme where it uses many neutral colours such as white, creams and pastel colours. These provide a calm atmosphere which relaxes the reader. The colour scheme also suggests the magazine is aimed at adults as younger children may prefer more vibrant colours. The use of red emphasises on particular artists.  However the magazine still uses words such as “burner” and “loaded” proving a less serious tone to the magazine.

The contents page contains information of what the magazine will enclose. It provides information on new realises, artist information, and also the cover story and featured sub stories. This is to engage the audience to buy and read the magazine, as they would get a summary about an interesting topic. It has clear page numbers next to each heading and the information is clearly organised for the reader and easily accessible, with pictures to act as a visual aid. Many magazines use a mixture of visual aids as well as typography; this is due to people getting engaged to different styles.

Contents Page Analysis-1

A Vibe contents page is normally spread over a few pages; this page is associated to a Master Page. A contents page does not contain much information as it only highlights the simple but valuable information featured in the main articles. However, the information written on the contents page is very appealing as the magazine hopes to attract many readers to read the main articles. This page informs the reader on the regular features and fashion which are in the magazine.

The large “V” in the background reinforces the magazine name “vibe”. This is a typical feature seen on every contents page of the vibe magazine. The word “Contents” is split up into three sections, this helps to divide up the page as one half is about what the magazine contains and all the written text on the right of the page and the other half of the page consist of a picture of a seductive woman. Splitting up the word “contents” and keeping it in large blocked white letters draws attention to an audience. The subtle use of black gray and white complements each other creating an almost seamless feel where all the colours are almost one this is very affective as it helps the page to flow as one.

The image is of a woman named Ciara who is a famous R&B singer, she is lying at the bottom of the page making her the last thing we see this could suggest she is the most important aspect of the page and she is what we as the reader are supposed to remember. Her image is also quite large and seductive creating the effect that she is dominating the page, as all the attention is focused on her.  Audiences may see this image and as a result aspire to be like her as she is fashionably dressed.

Textual Analysis-Front Cover 3

Rave had been around in India for 10 years it covers every genre of music and provides a new perspective on international music it is one on the largest music magazines in India.

The font of the mast head is very electric and is written in bright blue drawing attention to itself. The font does not have any real association to gender so it is not limiting the magazines audience to just one gender. The name “Rave” subjects a party and maybe there is a party going on inside the magazine enticing the audience to read the magazine, it also depicts the perfect image for the them as a brand of a music magazine.

The key image is of “Fergie” who is not only a famous singer but a sexy icon. Rave have decided to put her on the front cover as this would both attract the audience and she would be able to promote herself. The dress she has worn is the same color as the title of the magazine she also contrast with the black wallpapered background helping her to stand out and grab the reader’s eye. The magazine only consists of a few main colors which are white, blue, black and red. This continuous color scheme helps keep the audience focused and stops them from getting confused. Fergie’s hand gestures are also very particular they connote the Asian culture as they are a bharatanatyam hand gesture which is a famous form of classical Indian dance. This shows Fergie in a new light and helps the readers to see an alternative aspect of both culture and music, as she not an Indian artist the hand gesture would help the readers to identify with her. Fergie is directly addressing the audience; this is another way in which the audience can feel more involved.

The sell lines around Fergie are used to entice the customers mainly males to buy the magazine, as stereotypical most women will read these magazine regardless. The Rave uses both enticing sell lines and an attractive model which allows the reader to gain an insight of what the magazine is consists. The artist listed in the copy help to identify the genre of the music featured in the magazine Fergie is a pop artist whilst Ornette Coleman is a Jazz artist this could suggest the magazine caters for many different genres of music therefore appealing to a wider audience. In the copy language devises such as alliteration is used “duchess of debauchery” to help draw the reader in. They also use buzz words such as “Exclusive” to suggest the magazine is fashionable and if the readers were to miss out on this issue they would be out casted and have a lower self esteem.

Textual Analysis front cover 2

Blender is a well known Asian music and entertainment magazine. The name “Blender” which appears in the mast head, it is written in blue. This suggests the magazine may be aimed at a male audience, this is apparent with the colors used within magazine as a blend of masculine colors are used, such as a blue, white and black these 3 colors are used throughout the magazine, they connote masculinity and dominance as they are used to dominate the front cover apart from the key which is also of a male.

The mast head is written bigger than the rest of the copy, this helps it to stand out for the readers attract there attention. In the mast head there are some words written in black (biggest) and some are written in gray (music), gray is not an eye catching colour, however by employing this technique the buzz words are highlighted and the readers  are being engaged. The other buzz words used within this front cover are “amazing, ever, exposed, free.”

The word Free helps to attract the audience as is provides a unique selling point it. Also appeals to the magazines target market as Asians are stereotypically seen to always want things for free. Alliterations is also used with the copy as it denotes “Guide to gadgets and gear” the use of the letter “G” is  catchy  which could help the audience to remember it and it also draws the reader in and engages the reader. Alliteration is also used in another sell line “movies and more” here the “M” sound is repeated causing an “mmmm” sound making the audience to sound hungry to read the magazine.

One of the articles shown at the bottom of the page includes Eminem this suggest that this magazine targets readers that are not only interested in Bollywood music as well as English music as well.

SRK-key image said to be-Shahrukh Khan is deemed to be the king of Bollywood –it also contains an exclusive interview showing the magazine is very fashionable. The Blue banner attracts the reader’s attention to the key things in the magazine it states that it is the magazines birthday which shows the magazine is well known and established. The magazine will contain a “FREE 16 page ultimate guide to gadgets and cars.” Showing the magazine is diverse and as a result the magazine is able to reach a wider target market. All these sell lines help to developed audience’s expiations of what the magazine has to offer.

The key image is of Shark Kahn who is a well known Indian singer and actor and an idol to many. He is dressed in a casual manor with a jacket and t-shirt this technique may have been employed to help the audience to relate to him and identify with him. However he is still an icon and as a result people would still aspire to be like him, the casual clothes help to bring him back down to earth and give him a casual look.  He is also looking directly at the camera this creates a direct mode of address which help to involve and engage the reader. The key image is placed in front of the mast head covering part of the magazines name this could suggest the magazine is very well known and they can afford to covers their name. Another way we can tall that Blender is a well known magazine is that it is their “birthday special” proving it has been out for some time as it is celebrating its birthday showing it is established.

Blender Anotated

Textual Analysis front cover 1

The music magazine Vibe is founded and produced by Quincy Jones, who is renowned for producing the albums such as, “Bad” and “Thriller” for the legendary Michel Jackson. Quincy has not only been in the music industry, but his company has also produced “The Fresh Prince of Bell Air.” Vibe shut down production in the summer of 2009. However, it was then purchased by the private equity investment Fun Inter Media Partners and is now issued quarterly.

The connotations of the word “Vibe” suggests sound, movement and vibrations which are all associated with music. So, it suits the genre of the magazines, as it is Hip hop and R&B which has a very upbeat genre. The magazine caters for a large target audience this is due the wide range of genre and music artists from rap( Jazz) to hip hop (beasties Boys)to R&B (Rhianna) and pop (Janet Jackson).

Vibe uses famous artist to promote and attract a variety of audiences, the key image consists of a medium shot of the famous hip hop artist known as “Akon”. Akon is placed in front of the mast head, this is a well known convention of magazines this could also show that the magazine has a strong brand identity and can afford to cover up their name and still be recognised. Many magazines like Vibe tend to use shots in front of the mast head as it allows the key image to stand out, the contrast between the white background, the key image and the typography. Magazines like Vibe, do not have to show the consumer their magazine name as they already are well know and established. Most consumers will know the magazine name by just looking at the magazine.

Akon is not wearing a t-shirt this helps the magazine appeal to females as they are known to be attracted to men with no tops on. He has a long sliver chain with his name on it (Akon Konvict), a watch and a large belt buckle. Many hip hop artist/ rappers are known to be wearing “bling” as this portrays status within their industry. This connotes his wealth and fame and as a result, people may aspire to be like him.  A mood of direct address is created with the magazine this is achieved by the key image looking and pointing directly at the audience enticing them.

The copy in the mast head denotes “Steve Harlvey Ain’t Having’ It”. Steve Harley is a famous film maker. The copy also denotes “how to save mix tapes” this suggest mix tapes are a dying trend just like magazines and they are both working together to promote each other. The copy is only written in three main colours this follows a continuous colour scheme, thus making it easier to read and also makes the cover more readable and eye-catching. The copy contains alliteration “Rap Radio” this is a widely used convention as it draws readers attention. It also says “Akon last hit maker” this could be a pun as it could mean the word hit in the scene of a physical act where someone/something is  physically hurt, this is stereotypical of rappers as they are seen to be very violent. This could also suggest a “hit” as a record sale “hit”.

Vibe Annotated