RockSound Magazine Analysis (Inspiration)

To begin with my third magazine analysis, I've chosen 'Rock-Sound'. For starters, I was attracted to this particular front cover for the sheer fact that the colour is so plain, with tonnes of blue tones used, yet on a whole it's still professional because each aspect of the magazine stands out. The masthead is bold and strikes the reader, even if one of the cover models is covering a part of it. The way in which the colour works for this aspect as well as the overall theme is through the presentation of different blue hues. An example would be the contrast between Mark Hoppus' (main cover model, Blink-182) shirt against the dark blue shadowing of the white main sell-line, "Blink-182 and Fall Out Boy".

 Speaking of these cover models, their poses and overall mise-en-scene are very laid-back; they barely show any formal acknowledgement to the camera; they literally stare at it with slight nonchalance. This could be represented in a negative light, however, in my opinion; the magazine is far more generally laid-back than the likes of Kerrang, therefore their stances piece together well for a professional outlook.

Moving on to the target audience, I’d assume that the range is from around 13 years of age to around early 30’s. This is because, for starters, their choice of language is very inviting with how they word magazine features; they aren’t too harsh with descriptions and the language is suitable for teenagers and above. I’d say that the age range probably stops at around 30 because that’s the common age for when people stop going to such scenes like Sonisphere Festival and Download Festival; which mostly typically attract around 16-21 year olds.

One more aspect which attracted me to this front cover was the overall layout and design. It’s noticeable that, for the sell-lines above the main one and on each side of the page, they’re both in a dark red colour, which subliminally draws the reader into that particular section, making them want to read both sides. This colour also stands out against the several blue tones of the cover, breaking up the plain palette and giving it an edge of contrast to the icy yet inviting appeal. Lastly, with the design, I love the fact that one of the artist’s featured in that particular magazine is actually holding the barcode and details of the magazine; I perhaps may include this quirky, original feature in my own magazine.

I particularly like this contents page because, like the front cover, it’s plain yet very appealing. Yet again, three main colours of red, blue and white have been used which attracts the reader subliminally; an example is the simple boxing gloves the models wear; two are blue on either side of the red one shown, bringing in the whole theme of the page. In relevance to these colours used, it’s also very clever how, because the red boxing glove is in the centre, they’ve placed the general contents and features there and used the dark red colour again to add emphasis against the white.

Another aspect which I found rather appealing was the faded editing used on the background image, making it rather mysteriously invitational. I also found this appealing through the fact that, although this is most likely the first feature that people will notice when they turn to this page, it also helps to bring out the colours used for the general contents as well as defining everything on the page so that it all stands out against one another.

Lastly, I like the cover models’ ‘glares’ directly aimed at the camera; they’re giving off a boyish, witty charm of a ‘fight’, which in a way, could be represented as a sexual hint of appeal, as they could well be a lot of people’s icons, especially since they’re known globally. Overall, I was really surprised at what subtleness and a simple theme can create; the outlook is professional and clear.

For the double page spread of this particular magazine, I chose this one because, in relevance to the colour palette, the whole background is sky blue, which gives off a real sense of freedom and youth, and also I like how the tones become increasingly lighter as it goes down the page. Another professional feel towards this is the white text, however some could probably critic that this colour used on the smaller text sort of blends into the background, making it rather hard for readers’ to understand. However, in my opinion; I believe this has been done because the band above all wear dark clothes, therefore it could be seen as a contrast.

In relevance to the target audience, the band’s general pose is quite immature yet gives off, yet again, a sense of freedom which most people in this target audience feel they should have or already have. I really like how they’ve been photographed in mid-air like this; it’s appealing and they’re almost able to jump out the page at the reader in a fun and comical way.

On a whole, I could say that this spread is quite plain; which it most certainly is. However I’ve found that through researching this particular magazine its content and features are pretty basic, yet give off a youthful appeal to its audience. So, in general, I believe that the theme and style of this magazine professionally relates to their target audience; they have the needed features and the way in which they capture and portray them brings them together as an invitational and youthful magazine.