1. Deconstruction of music
magazines
Anna Loyns

2. Deconstruction of front covers

3. although the title of the magazine the main feature within the magazine is
is partially covered by the main made obvious to the audience. As well
image, it is in no way undermined.
In fact, the recognisable colours,
‘Q’ magazine as the anchoring image of the band,
'Take That', the large black text at the
and the logo'd title, allows the upper right hand side of the cover.
audience to immediately Moreover, the play on words of a song
understand the magazine's title, by from the band, 'back for good' is also
viewing the associated red colour an enticing factor, particularly towards
and font of the magazine. The fact the fans of the band. This allows the
that the title is partially covered audience to instantly recognise the
creates a sense of fluency within magazine's contents.
the cover, adding greatly to the
overall presentation
A neat, crisp presentation is used
The magazine possesses the within the cover, creating a more
typical conventions in which mature, sophisticated tone. The
other co-existing magazines use of red, black and white as the
hold. This includes. This includes common colour theme allows the
the barcode, which informs the presentation of the magazine to
audience with general An important thing to recognise is the image appear tidy and fresh. This also
information such as the price of which is placed central, covering nearly the allows the other colours within
the magazine, and issue release entirety of the page. This allows the image to the page to stand out, as they are
date become the focal attention of the audience. The also important parts of the
fact that they are each wearing back clothing magazine. This green colour is
The magazine is successful in
allows them to contrast against the white used to promote the inclusion of
using extra features as a means
background. Moreover, each member of the successful band, 'Green day', and
of attracting the audience. It also
band, 'Take That' are engaging with the 'Gaze'. 'Q awards'. The green colour is
allows the audience to be aware
This is rather enticing to the audience, attracting certainly deliberate in getting the
that although 'Take That' is the
them more to the image. Moreover, as the image attention of the audiences, thusly
main focus of this issue, there is
partially covers the title of the magazine, is allows persuading them to buy the
much more to the magazine.
it again to appear one of the most important magazine.
features within the magazine cover.

4. The front cover has maintained a
constant, recognisable colour scheme to
the magazine. In using red, black and white,
‘NME’ magazine
it allows the audience to familiarise The title of the magazine, though partially
themselves with the logo of the magazine, covered, is in no way undermined, and does
thus attracting them to it. Moreover, the not alienate the viewer. The recognisable
colour scheme seems neat and crisp, colours and font is itself a clear logo to the
creating a presentable, effective tone, in magazine, and suggests that the title doesn't
which will entice the target audience. The have to be completely clear for the audience
colours work effectively with one another, to familiarise themselves with it. The fact
allowing each to stand out, again, attracting that such colours are echoed throughout the
the reader. The cover is successful products allows it to find some sort of
in using the limited range of colours, yet symmetry, appearing very attractive
making them beneficial to the cover, and and professionally.
each are bold colours
The image used is large, covering almost The text within the cover is used
the entirety of the page. This stresses appropriately, particularly in illustrating the
its importance to the magazine, and giving The cover contains the typical main image of the band, The
the audience information on codes and conventions, last shadow puppets'. The use of bold whit
the contents of the magazine. including the positioning of the text announcing the artists involved with t
The significance of the icon is further title and the image, both of band, attracts the audience. As they are we
emphasised by it's positioning, half which are significant elements known figures within the music industry,
covering the title of the magazine. This of magazine front covers. already being in successful bands, it will
allows the cover to flow well. again, Moreover, the inclusion of persuade the audience to want to purchas
bringing about neat presentation which the bar code on the bottom the product. Moreover, the red bold text
will appeal to the audience. An important right hand side of the cover, stating the name of the band is used as a
thing to recognise is that the editing of the fives the audience additional means to anchor the topic. The article is,
image allows it to fit in with the information such as the issue after all, on the formation, and merging of
background, release date, and the price two great artists.

5. ‘NME’ continued
Although the focal attention of the
magazine is the article surrounding
the new band, 'The last shadow
puppets' the magazine is successful
in further enticing the audience by
releasing further information on
what else is within the magazine,
advertising the special features to
attract the reader
The additional information on the left
hand side of the cover is successful in that
it doesn't reveal too much of the contents
so that the audience is already aware, in
fact, quite the opposite. It uses subtle
references to what the topic is about,
making people want to read on; attracting
them.

6. The presentation this magazine
cover seems chaotic, and
deliberate in being so. This is
‘KERRANG’ magazine The second largest piece of text is the heading
relative to the target audience,
reading, "Rocks new hotshots you me at six doing it
teenagers. It is fitted to its
their way" The use of two colours, yellow and white,
audience enormously, because it's
each contrasting the black background, is certainly an
not tidy, and it's not neat. However,
attracting factor. The largest of the text, of course
in saying this, the cover still
being the title of the band 'You me at six'. This
remains organised in that it is
instantly allows the audience to recognise the main
divided in sections; very efficient
feature of the contents. The brief description is
for the audience.
enough to entice the audience without giving too
The title of the magazine, much of the article away.
though partially covered, is
instantly recognisable. The An added feature in which 'KERRANG'
iconic cracked font of the text, magazine features is the 'free posters'.
and the black and white theme This is a persuasive factor, making the
allows the audience to audience want to purchase the
familiarise themselves with the
magazine. It almost seems The main image on the page, is indeed the magazine because of its freebees;
largest. This allows it to become to focal something magazines such as 'NME'
modest, in that the title doesn't
have to be entirely on show for attention of the page, and for the audience and 'Q' rarely offer. This allows the
the audience to understand to be enticed by it. Moreover, the fact that magazine to stand out form it's
it partly covers the title highlights the competition. The use of the images,
what magazine it is. advertising the free posters are placed
significance of the image. The image is
central and covers nearly the entirety of again, chaotically, yet, fittingly.
Moreover, the
advertisement of further the page, again, echoing it's important role
inclusions within the within the product. The icons within the
magazine will entice the image are very fitting to the magazine
audience, with the names of itself, maintaining this black colour
certain bands the magazine scheme. This seems presentable and
will contain. organised, allowing it to fit greatly.

7. ‘KERRANG’ continued
The magazine is successful in using
images as a means of enticing the
audience, particularly whilst
advertising a 'free poster special' This
is very efficient. When audiences
browse through the magazines, it will
be the images that attract them, and
the freebees that the magazine offers,
thus making ‘KERRANG’ a very
appealing magazine.
'KERRANG' magazine uses the typical
codes and convention of co-existing
music magazines. This includes the
barcode at the bottom right hand side of
the magazine cover. This barcode
includes general information for the
audience, such as the price, and the date
of the issue release.

8. Deconstruction of contents pages

9. The main image takes up a large
amount of space within the
contents. This is very attractive
to the audience, and will draw
‘Q’ contents page
The background is white. This allows
their attention.
the contents page to seem fresh, and
far from complicated. It work well
with the large image, managing not
to clash.
The contents page is split into sections,
making it very much presentable and
neat. This is very efficient for the reader
if they want to quickly find an article. Clear headings indicate to
the reader what the
magazine contains. It is very
simplistic.
Typically, the contents page includes
information on each article, briefly
describing the topic, and the page to find
it on. This again is very efficient
The contents finds
symmetry with itself and he
front cover. Particularly in
terms of the colour scheme,
The contents page is far from chaotic, using the same red, white
using just one large image, and a small and black colours as it did in
image, placed at the bottom of the the front cover. This creates
page. fluency within the product.

10. ‘NME’ contents page
A colour scheme of black, white and
The contents page is very much yellow is clearly demonstrated. This allows
appealing. And certainly entices the contents age to seem exciting, as well
the audience’s attention. as presentable.
The use of the large image is attractive, The information is split by sub-
and draws the attention of the reader. headings. This, again is beneficial for
The image is anchored by the bold, the reader if they are searching for a
black text in which illustrates the particular topic.
article.
The colour-scheme and presentation
seems rather mature, yet far from
The contents page finds symmetry with the front bland. The colour used are bold and
cover, using the same colour scheme. This is both attractive, and the presentation is
recognisable to the audience, and very much efficient to read.
presentable. Far from chaotic, yet from boring.
The use of advertisement for subscription is also
very clever. Though it is placed at the bottom, the
bold colours and contrasting text allows it to
attract the attention of the reader.

11. ‘KERRANG’ contents page
A colour scheme of black, white and yellow is clearly demonstrated. This allows the contents age to seem exciting, as well as p
The large image clearly indicates the
more important article within the issue,
The use of many images within this allowing the audience to instantly
contents page is a feature the other recognise this.
two magazines lack. The images, here,
are certainly attractive, and are placed
in a way that doesn’t over-clutter the
page. It appears very presentable.
These images are also anchored by
Much like, ‘NME’, ‘KERRANG’ uses sub-
text, illustrating what the article is
headings to further clarify where each
about, the page number it is on.
article is placed. This saves time for the
reader to search.
The contents page is split into sections, making it much
easier for the audience to read.
The use of the white background seems fresh and crisp,
particularly behind the colourful images used.