Magazine
Analysis:
I began by
searching for one specific music magazine, I chose to look at Billboard
Magazine. I looked at all the front covers from Billboard to establish their
house style and similarities that run throughout.
At a first
look I can see that they use a very simple design keeping the coverlines and
much more very minimal. There are a lot of pale colours including mainly greys
with some blues and pinks. They all seem to have a close up or mid shot of the
artist on the front and stick to only one person, in most there is a direct
mode of address.
After
doing some research I found that the target audience for Billboard magazine
varies from young teens from the age of 16 to young adults at the age of 26.
This is because it gives readers the latest updates from the charts of
different and various types of genres. This is shown in the front cover as the
design is very mature and is not overcrowded with images and coverlines.
71% of
readers are aged between 25 to 54 years old. The median age is 34. 82% are
college graduates. 65% are director level or above. The average yearly
household income of Billboard readers is $278, 620. 61% are members of one or
more industry assasiations such as BME, ASCAP, SESAC, AAAA and others. 51% are
men and 49% are women. The genre of Billboard magazine is R’n’B and pop music.
It is run by the company who decide the top 100 songs in the US therefore it
contains information and music artists who are currently in the top 100, this
makes it appeal to a larger audience because as it contains facts and up to
date news on the charts and relevant artists.
Masthead:
-The masthead is
kept simple on this magazine, it’s in the top left hand corner instead of being
completely across the top and the artists head is brought over the top to avoid
having his head covered. Billboard are a well-known magazine and readers can recognize
it without having to read the full name. The white is simple and shows
sophistication, informing readers that this magazine is mature and full of
information, suiting the age group of its target audience.
Main Coverlines /
coverlines:
-There are minimal
coverlines on this cover, this is so it’s not too busy and your focus isn’t
taken from the image. It also tells the reader brief information making them
want to read the article inside. The colours, similar to the masthead, are kept
simple with black and white giving the same effect as the masthead does and
fits the colours of the image, contrasting well with the background.
Image:
-The image is of
Drake, a rapper. Billboard have chosen Drake for the cover of this magazine
because he is a relevant artist and will draw in a younger audience as many
think of him as a figure to look up to.
-Drake is well-known
but his name is written very large across the middle of the cover, this is
because Billboard want to advertise that they have him on their cover and
people are more likely to pick their magazine up seeing the word ‘Drake’
plastered across the front. The words ‘finds happiness’ fits with the image as
he smiling or laughing and a happier artist draws a bigger audience in this
genre.
- This is a
photoshoot photo rather than a live shot, this way they can get him to pose in
this way to fit the coverline and look more natural in this environment than
flustered on stage.
-There is slight
direct mode of address in this as his head is turned towards the camera but his
eyes are squinting as he is laughing making it look natural, this direct mode
of address is important here so readers can relate not only to his style but to
his emotions also.
-His clothes are
simple but also fashionable, this is something many boys or men would wear on a
day to day basis making him relate and seem down to earth and on the same level
as the reader. The colours of his clothes match the colours of the coverlines
etc on the cover showing consistency and giving it more of a modern, minimalist
style drawing people in.
-The photograph
shows Drake in a medium close up, this is so you can see his facial expressions
and slightly his body language along with his clothes but it isn’t too close up
that it feels like he is invading the readers personal space.
Sources:
billbaord.com
wikipedia.com
google images
This magazine analysis is beneficial for when creating my own music magazine front cover, I will be able to tell what makes a good cover and apply it to my own taking this into consideration when choosing a colour scheme and fonts etc.
