A close-up was used in order to immediately recognise the character, elaborating on the magazine standing out, also due to its uncommon genre of Blues/Jazz/Swing. The character is also seen with a cheeky smile, which helps to identify the genre of music as being cheeky and fun to be/feel a part of. It’s very much a genre in which not only adults would listen to, but also families (as mentioned in the interview by the main-imaged character). We see a sense of purpose from the characters facial expressions (NVC), and we can identify him as being happy and genuine, much like the way in which the music genre is deemed and purposely intended to present as. It’s all purposeful and planned out, in order to happily attract the target audience involved.

In some ways, the magazine would be classed as pastiche due to it/ the character somewhat copying previous idols such as Dean Martin within the genre, and is also intended in being classed as a Blues/Swing/Jazz legend of modern time. The character aims to re-enact the beautiful music and style created in the 60’s, giving a modern twist to it as well. On the other hand though, the character is also part of a nostalgic theme, due to it being as though the past is being brought to present time; this is due to the music not being as popular now as it was then, somewhat giving it a boost in its uniqueness and idolised style. It is being brought back for all to love. The magazine somewhat aims t recognise these factors, which is why the predominant colour used is blue (linking in with the theme of Blues music), the character is smiling (bringing a happy appearance to the genre), and also why the character is wearing a suit (classy and mature approach to the style of music back in the early days).

Swing Saviour: swing is part of the genre, therefore giving it a unique identity focusing on one specific genre, opposed to e.g. Q focusing on multiple genres. It gives the target audience peace of mind, especially considering if they only prefer this genre of music opposed to any other. It somewhat engages in loyalty to the brand & genre. Saviour is used in order for it to connote a form of heroic actions into the saving of a certain something; that something being Blues/Jazz/Swing music. The music has somewhat been lost a long the way, but still cherished by millions. The fact that it is Swing Saviour connotes the rescue of music that was once lost, but always (and still) loved by a generation of individuals. The music is back to rule them all. This links in with Blues Is Back, due to it suggesting that the music was once lost but recently found again, especially by the character being interviewed and greatly loved.

Coloured

Gradient

Background Colour

ed Gradie

nt Background

As you can see from above, I have compared these two magazine front covers in order to successfully identify the conventions that were used. I have also colour coded them in order to identify them easily when comparing one magazine front cover to another one. This helps to give my magazine a better and hopeful professional look.

Conventions that were recognised are as follow: Price: the price plays a huge factor within the sales department, but may also strategically identify the certain target audience’s social class for the magazine. Individuals with suitable disposable income levels would consider buying the magazine, considering that this one retails at £2.99 which some people wouldn’t consider spending. Barcode: the barcode is a convention within magazines in order to allow the shops (in which the magazines would be sold in) and newsagents to accurately identify the set price to charge the customers with. Main image (Close up): the close-up (as mentioned) is used to naturally and immediately identify the characters Non-Verbal Communication at first glance, and we are able to identify my character as looking genuine and kind. This connotes a sense of meaningful purpose for my magazine, as with the music genres intentions to care and entertain the target audience. The music holds potential in which has an established identity of classiness and a hardworking mentality; it is somewhat being presented for social groups that are known for hard work. The close-up is used to identify happiness, and in this case, happiness created from the genre of music shown; (the lyrics)…Cover lines: cover lines are used fluently within all magazine front covers, and are in order to intrigue the reader’s, as with guide them with the content within the magazine’s edition. Apart from this being another convention, it somewhat aids the idea of helpfulness and care upon the genre, therefore enhancing the reality of maturity that the genre brings for the target audience. Main cover lines: similarly as before, except these are conventionally used in order to identify the main subject and news that will be shared inside the magazine for the readers. This convention also plays as a form of leadership into the content of a magazine, much like a leader; this connotes the idea of maturity and charge that the genre of music holds for society and due to it being brought back, the world will be calmer and hopeful again. Masthead (in-front): due to the Masthead being in-front, it brings the idea that something old has been re-invented; it has been brought from the past into the present day, which is why it is in front (from behind, to the front). The Masthead is one of the most important features of/on a magazine, as it gives the magazine an identity. Slogan: the slogan used is very cheeky, and simply requires the aid of a mature target audience to appropriately go along with it. It is cheeky, and hints a form of sexual maturity upon the genre: not to mention the fact that in the 60’s, when the likes of Frank Sinatra were around, a lot of women were attracted to these men, which is why a cheeky slogan is in use, as it intentionally hints attraction, even though women are the secondary audience. The specific words are as follows: ‘Swing’, which is used to identify the genre of the magazine and music context, and ‘Baby’, which was a word used frequently in the early-late 20th century, between lovers. It’s a form of nostalgia. Brightness upon the image: linking in with the example given, brightness was beheld upon the image in order to not only make it stand out, but make it look as though it were purer and given a fresher start. Due to the music being older than modern day music, with freshly looking brightness, this helps to engage in the idea that the music has been refreshed in the charts. This links in with the idea that this genre of music has recently been saved and re-launched, linking in with the Masthead Swing Savour (see the previous page). Gradient background: the gradient background is fairly common for music magazine and also general magazines as well. I feel that for my magazine, it looks as though it connotes a sense of development; from a brighter colour (younger look) to a mature looking colour (progression). It symbolises the progression of the music genre, from the past into today’s present. Also, due to it being blue, it is identifies the genre of Blues, still progressing. Text in-front: the text in-front of the main image helps to connote the idea that the genre was once behind people’s thoughts, due to it somewhat being lost along the way, but now due to it being saved, it is in-front again; in-front of people’s minds. People will think about it more, and due to the text being in-front, it is seen easier. The main characters name: generally, this is used in order to give more detail about the main focus within this edition of the magazine. It also gives greater detail about the content. It’s conventional for all magazines genres.

Challenged conventions would include the way in which the colour scheme changes throughout the magazine. Front cover: the main colours that featured were white and blue (light blue). Contents page: the main colours that featured were grey and blue (darker colours). Double page spread: the main colour that was used was grey (lighter, with ‘star’ outlines around the page).

This could be seen as though it were signifying the progression of the music genre along the years. It started off as being quite young (with lighter colours) but then progressed into the mature stages of its lifecycle (darker colours). It connotes the maturity of the audience as much as it shows how Swing/Jazz/Blues has developed over the years. It is quite an achievement to be brought back to life, and the magazine visually displays the cycle.

In a lot of magazines, a lot of competitions would be offered, which gives readers the chance of winning a free trip to another country. I felt that it would be best fitting if I did the same thing in order to similarly offer a conventional method of…

In comparison to the given example on the previous page, the Mastheads colour isn’t continuous. This is due to the colour red symbolising a form of retro within the past. Due to computer games being first introduced in 1958, this use of red is used to look similar to the arcade lights that were used, especially during the time of the Swing/Jazz/Blues period. This brings back a form of Nostalgia, which is relevant to the genre’s context. It follows with the white for two reasons: the white stands out from the character’s black hair, but also symbolises a sense of purity; this is exactly what the music genre symbolises, linking in with ideas of happiness and genuinity. i didn’t want it to shine as bright as the neon light shown on the left, and this is due to it potentially looking a little less mature, yet more childish; this takes away from the target audience and their maturity.

Intertextual moments within the magazine:

Goodfellas is considered to be one of the greatest movies of all time, especially of the mobster genre. If you have seen Goodfellas, you will have been able to identify the style used, as with the influences from the time set. The music used is predominantly part of the chosen genre. This influences the magazine as well. Also, due to it being of an Italian cultural setting, this links in with the culture of some of the early Swing singers, such as Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. I purposefully used this iconic Film name to immediately create similarities of context; not the mafia themes, but actually the older setting and styles used, which are influential for my character and the overall magazine. This is used as a pun/parody, considering the rearrangement of the famous Dean Martin song ‘Ain’t that a kick in the head’. Due to the magazine identifying that the main characters’ fiancé is pregnant, I felt that it would be best fitted within the use of a classic song; the artist will become a classic as well. The use of ‘Bed’ connotes a form of sexual encounters, again linking in with an adult/ mature target audience which would be considered to enjoy this pun.

These images are shown in order to give visual information of the content, but also to relate to the past, as with the certain influences of this particular genre of music.