DETAILED CLASS

ANALYSIS OF MUSIC
MAGAZINE
MAISIE FRANKLIN

The first thing that the reader of the magazine is drawn too
is the large main cover photo of Dizzee. The shot used is a
long shot at a canted angle to create a distorted effect. This
represents Dizzee to be a light hearted and energetic music
artist. His squatted position and body language connotes
the magazine is more informal and edgy, as well as
suggesting the genre is for a younger urban audience.
Dizzees excited facial expressions and direct address
creates intimacy with the audience and tells them the
The
main
line is inyet
capital
content
is cover
light hearted
high letters
intensity.
and a bright bold white font, which
contrasts well with the masthead. The
top line is at a slanted angle to anchor
the main image and complement the
canted angle of the main cover image.
The main cover line states only the
name of Dizzee Rascal which draws
maximum attention to him, and the
way in which he is being represented
on the cover. Dizzee is a young black
male rap star, and his stereotypical
casual clothing and gold chain helps to
further accentuate this. The
background of graffiti gives a more
negative connotation of young black
The masthead
is inor
a chavs.
bold robust font,
males
being thugs
with a striking and vibrant red fill to
match. This denotes that the target
audience is mainly male, particularly
those with an interest in rock/urban
music genres. It follows the codes and
conventions of magazines by being
placed towards the top left of the
page. The white and black outline
gives a 3D effect and helps draw the
attention of the reader.

The rule of thirds has been used in

this image, to place Dizzees head in
the top left hot spot area, which
immediately draws attention to his
excited facial expression. The colour
scheme of the cover includes mostly
red, with black and white used in the
background or to accentuate certain
features.
The barcode has been placed at the
bottom right hand corner of the
page, following the codes and
conventions of a magazine. It is
clear for the reader to see and is
accompanied by the edition date,
informing the reader that it is the
latest edition of the magazine.
The cover line on the right hand
side includes another popular
music groups name, which again is
made more noticeable to the
reader by being in a bigger, bolder
font. The white colour font behind
the red background allows the
cover line to be more visible and
eye-catching. The magazine cover
also includes a puff at the top left
corner to advertise more music
related news. It follows the genre of
the magazine and advertises
another area included inside that
the reader may find interesting. It
follows the colour scheme of the
magazine by having a bright red
fill colour, and black/white font
detail.

FRONT
COVER

ONTENTS
PAGE

The border of the central column

uses bolts in each corner, giving a
more urban and rustic feel to the
page, and following the genre of
rock/punk music. The grey tones in
the central column also help to give
an urban and young look to the
contents page. Brand identity has
been followed through onto the
contents page as you can see the

The layout of the contents page follows the genre of the magazine,
with an edgy look and slightly slanted features to give a more
relaxed and less serious feel. The image used at the top of the
central column is an example of where the magazine has used a
slanted image to create an edgy look, appealing to the target
audience of young people. The magazine has carried the
red/white/black colour scheme through to the content page also,
which helps to keep it looking uniform and professional to the
reader.
The page as a whole has been sectioned off into three columns,
which is more evidence of the magazine following the codes and
conventions. The column on the left lists all of the feature stories
(article titles) that the magazine wants to draw the readers
attention to, along with page numbers as a reference. Bold white
font on a black background has been used for the different
sections of the magazine, making it clear to the audience which
articles belong to which sub section of the magazine. The page
numbers have been clearly presented in a bright red font also.
The central column includes an image of a young girl alongside a
tour bus, which both appeals to the younger male audience as well
as following the genre of a music magazine. The girl in the image is
wearing dark rock/punk type clothing which also follows the genre of
the magazine, and the genre of music that is included in the content.
The editorial feature underneath includes a title anchored to the
main image, and the word touring links well to the tour bus in the
image. The heading is in a white but washed out font, again giving a
edgy feel to the magazine. The girl in the main image uses direct
address to draw the readers attention to the article underneath
which is a special
feature. has been used in the bottom left hand side
A promotion
of the third column and uses a bright yellow colour
font, not yet featured in the existing colour scheme.
This grabs the readers attention immediately as they
look at the page. The date and issue has also been
included underneath the main heading to inform the
reader of how recent the edition is. The language used
in the central article is very relaxed and personal,
creating more intimacy with the reader and appealing

The mode of address used in the main image isnt direct, which
connotes mystery and that there is more to be uncovered about
the artist within the article. The article begins with a drop cap
letter, which follows the codes and conventions of all magazines,
and helps to draw the readers attention to the beginning of the
article. The title of the article is not aligned and includes a
different range of font sizes and slants. This helps to give an
urban and messy type of feel to the page, again appealing more
to younger people and the target audience of the magazine.
The overall impression you get from this double page spread is
that it is aimed at younger audiences, with a interest in urban
culture and music genres. The dominant image of a young
successful black male rapper also appeals to this target
audience, and helps to represent urban artists in a positive way.
However, the mysterious look the artist gives whilst graffiting the
background wall, gives negative connotations of young urban
artists and younger generations, that they are all thugs and
dangerous to the community. The red colour of Dizzees jacket
follows the red colour scheme used in both the cover and
The image
of a radio and empty beer bottles
contents
page.
underneath the article relate to the young urban genre
of the magazine. The radio clearly links to the music
aspect of the article, and the beer bottles to the young
urban culture. The bottles give a negative connotation
of young people again, suggesting they all drink
alcohol, and alongside the graffiti suggesting they have
no respect. However although this may not appeal to
adults, this image does appeal to young teens who are
into urban rebellious genres of music.

DOUBLE PAGE
SPREAD

The basic layout of the page is split into two,

with the main image occupying the right and
the article on the left. The title of the article
takes up half of the right page, in a very
large, bold, capital letter font. The
positioning of the title means it is parallel
with Dizzees upper body in the
accompanying image, which helps draw
attention to his stance and facial expression.
A medium long shot has been used of
Dizzee, to capture his urban clothing, side on
stance and more serious facial expression.
His more stern facial expressions, denote
that the article will involve more serious
aspects focusing on his personal life, which
contrasts well with the bright and excited
facial expressions he showed on the main
cover image on the front cover. Again graffiti
has been included in the background to
appeal to the urban genre of the magazine,
and appeal to the target audience of young
people into urban music.