Magazine Content Page Analysis

By Matt Mosey

The layout and page design of this magazine content page is load, in your face and straight to the point with what the magazine has to offer this week. It has the main large article advertised at the top of the content page, taking up half the page, This makes It very noticeable and is the first thing you see. It is a picture ( of bring me the horizon) with a banner across the bottom of the band name. This will attract a large variety of rock fans since BMTH are well known in the rock industry. It will also attract new fans of rock that wish to extended there knowledge about rock culture (U&G)

The font in this content page varies in colour, size and style to ensure that the reader can clearly see the different article choices for example the bold and bright yellow writing “This Week” connotes to the reader that each week there is new and exclusive articles, which makes the reader feel good in that they can read something different each week and get there moneys worth. Also, as well as the white background of the bottom half of the page, the article subject titles are in yellow font with the background of black. This makes sure they are easy to read and clearly noticeable.

Mode Of Address- the MOD of this content page is very colloquial and relaxed. In the editors statement which each magazine gets each week, she talks with a relaxed style , as if she was talking to us face to face. With such phrases and “downtime” it is clear that the magazine is trying to form a relationship between the reader and it. This makes the reader feel more comfortable when reading the magazine, which would lead to repeat purchase to reoccur the feeling of comfort they acquire when reading the magazine.

Mise en Scene- the Mise en scene of the main picture at the top of the magazine content page is of a gig( likely a rock gig) .This reminds the reader of places were there favourite rock stars (Ollie Sykes) and the general rock community gather to experience there favourite music. It also shows the reader that the general home ground for rock music is inside the gig venue and to be apart of the community you should attend gigs to abide by the norms of the rock sub-culture. The background of a gig venue may also allow the audience to relate to the picture if they are already huge rock fans. This relation will make them feel more comfortable when reading the magazineThe banner (bring me the horizon) overlaps the picture of the band lead singer to establish a connection between the text and the picture.(he text been the lead singer bands name)

The majority of the fonts in this content page which read a title are rugged, bold, bright and urban. These fonts connote the type of lifestyle that this magazine idolises.

Article Titles- one of the article titles is “news” this attracts the audience to know that they can stay up to date with the latest rock news and stay in the current picture of the rock community(U&G). Another one of the article titles is “Feedback” which is when readers write in. This shows the audience that the magazine does care about the readers and puts there views forward. This makes the reader feel wanted and important in the rock community(U&G).

In the main picture of Ollie Sykes there is a lift camera light change towards his chest, highlighting the fact he has tattoos. This connotes to the audience the types of styles that are expected in the rock community.

This magazine abides by the rock magazine conventions by having a rugged and messy layout with hard hitting titles and overlapped edges it perfectly fits the conventions of rock by being informal and against the usually norms.

The content page shows a picture of some of the double page spread articles which they believe the audience will be most interested in. They also have small arrows pointing to them telling the audience what they are. This makes the audience want to read those articles because they have been put on special appeal.

One of the article that the content page advertises is a album review which would expand the knowledge which is something readers look for in a magazine (U&G)

Another big article header liner reads “Win” this attracts the audience because they believe they may get something else out the magazine such as a “free guitar”

Some readers may gather a misconception of the rock world that “rockers” are tough, hard and mean people however the main picture of this content page goes against this stereotype. The picture is of Slash “(a highly regarded guitar player I the rock industry) .In the picture it is mostly dark from his clothing and the background however his smile and small parts of chest that show have got a considerable amount of light on them. This could connote the Slash ( rockers in general) have a tough exterior and tough appearance but on the inside they are normal people. This might make the audience feel more comfortable with joining the community of rockers. The slight removal of sun glasses may also show that he will reveal his real self in the article

The main picture of this man (Slash) is wearing a lot of dark and rocker serotyped clothing. This would make the audience relate to him and therefore the general magazine, therefore they would feel more comfortable in reading it.

The target audience of this magazine will be young makes due to the outrageous colour schemes ( black and yellow).The audience would also be rocker who are probably more up to date with the rock world than someone who has only just started listening to rock music, I know this from the knowledge that is being put forward insinuating that the reader already knows about the specific band.

The constant subscription advertisement suggest that the same people may buy this magazine

regularly due to a specific interest. This magazine is not the kind of magazine that you pick up

ones .It is a regular buy.

MOD- the mode of address of this magazine is informal an relaxed. It is the type of language that you would use to your friend. In the rock community everyone who listens to the music is regarded as a friend therefore people who are familiar with rock feel at home when reading this friendly language.

The metal hammer title is rugged and has a particular font that apply the rocker codes and conventions. This makes the reader feel comfortable in a familiar environment

There are a variety of article titles that all relate to rock in some way. There are two columns, one with the regular types of article for example about album reviews and the other Coolum is features for example exclusive news that happen recently (i.e.. Band break up)

There are a lot of pictures on the right hand side with number next to them relating to the article. Is pictures are quote noticeable as one of them is quite rude.

The PUG looks like it has been pealed back. This is informal and messy which relates to the codes and conventions.

In all of the pictures the style of the clothes relate to the genre of the magazine. This creates a sub-culture of fans who wear these clothes to express there love of this music and to express there love of the general lifestyle.

The word “Hammer” above the word content reinstates the brand identity of the magazine

The dark colours and mostly male appeal in this content page simple reinstates the demographic audience. Of being young male rockers.

The images of bands and individual artist relate to the lifestyle they lead and that they points. For example the man raising his middle fingers.

The mode of address this content page mainly relates to the culture of rockers.

The constant change in fonts keeps the content interesting.

There is a instant noticeable advertisement of gigs towards the bottom of the content page. This already try's to get new readers to join the rocker community and experience readers to simply buy tickets. This instant advertisement of gigs shows that this music genre is a long term appeal and not a short one.

The picture of the editor would be assumed to be a picture of a rock fan. Since he is wearing the conventional rock clothes he is trusted to the reader to delivery good articles and a generally good magazine.

A lot of the articles are band names therefore to understand what they even are you would have to have experience in the rock community to enjoy them.

The PUG with the dripping blood affect reinforces the conventions of rock magazines to be violent and bashful. Blood connotes destruction, pain and generally things against normal society. Therefore it attracts the reader because it shocks them.

Giant writing saying “look in the mirror” this is quite conformational and therefore abides by the conventions of a rock magazine.

Mode of address- The MOD in this content page abides by the conventions of a rock magazine. It gives frontal and in your face language which as “look in the mirror” this almost intimidates the reader but at the same time makes them feel comfortable reading the magazine.

I believe this magazine is for fans for rock that are experienced. Many of the articles are amount bands that expect a small bit of knowledge about the bands already. The bands articles will expand the knowledge of rock fans that have enjoy rock for a long time(U&G).

The black on white or white on black writing stands out easily and is clear to read.

Festival reviews are very important for rock magazines as if the reader has attended them they will be extremely interested because they can relate to the articles.(U&G)

The PUG with the giant font and explanation mark mark “Plus” makes the reader think they are getting extra out the magazine.(U&G)

The layout of the content page is straight forward having more attention to the picture tan the actually article titles. The articles titles on the right hand side have the conventional titles such as album reviews which extended the knowledge of the audience or band updates.

The meaning of this page is very clear with the title “Content”

The editor signature makes the statement feel more important and more personal to the reader.

The white background makes the rest of the text and picture stand out of the page.

Article quote gives the reader a taste of what they are about to expect in that article.

“this week” makes the articles feel more exclusive each week.

Articles titles next to page number makes it clear and noticeable for the reader to navigate the magazine

The text of the title “Content” is rugged and cut. This simply follows the conventions of rock magazine as been

One of the affects in the reading and Leeds festival announcement is a spray paint effect which is known to be vandalism. However, when in a magazine it is acceptable because of the conventions of this magazine being rebellious, young and cool.