Task 1a - Analysis of magazine front covers, contents and double page spreads.

Cover 3. – Kerrang December 2005

Masthead - visibly stands out of the top of the page, the masthead is striking and even though half of it is covered you can still see it and relate it. The font is bold and rock related looks like broken glass this reflects the rebellious nature associated with Rock.

The header-summarises the main bands that will feature in the magazine. All of the bands are from the same genre as the magazine (rock)

Main image - is a mid shot of the lead singer of the Foo fighters

Main coverline - anchors the main image so that anyone can see who the man is.

Barcode date and price

The Footer - lists some more Rock bands that will feature in the magazine. Using the word “Plus:” at the beginning makes its seem as though loads is going on in the magazine.

The cover follows all of the house styles and colours of the magazine and also keeps to the main genre of the magazine this will help to interest all regular readers.

Contents uses same house style and colours as cover makes the reader feel at home with the magazine.

This contents is from a 2007 issue of Kerrang

Follows the conventions of a magazine and has the editors note, this helps the reader to know what will be in the magazine, it is fairly informal.

Has an image from someone's tour that has a heading ‘Dressed to kill’ this reflects the rock genre and the reader will be able to relate.

Advertisement of the subscription is on the contents, this can help to make the reader subscribe to the magazine, this is also an advert for previous editions and future editions.

The contents has subheading under which any relating articles are detailed, this makes it easier for the reader to navigate around the magazine.

The 3 images also are part of the contents and they are 3 articles, the use of just the image instead of words makes it look like CD covers and emphasises the fact it is a music magazine but also makes it different from other magazines.

Contents masthead – also uses a similar broken glass or shot font, this makes it relatable.

Headline Byline

Picture credits

The article is mainly image driven.

Article has been spilt into 2 columns, this helps to keep conventions of a magazine but also makes it easier to read

This copy gives an insight into what the concert had involved in it, this will entice the reader as they will want to know what went on

The image is the main attention of the article, this makes the article seem to anchor the image making it more emphasised

Colours used are black and red, these are colours that are associated with the rock genre.

Target audience-

Smash Hits magazine is music magazine that was aimed at a young teenage audience, although it is no longer being created. The magazine genre of Kerrang is that it is a Rock music magazine. The demonstration of this in the magazine is that it is made to look dull, dark and exciting

The social class of someone that reads Kerrang would be aimed at families in the C2 area, as it looks quite cheap and as cluttered in comparison to other music magazines such as NME. The audience for Smash Hits is most young teenage females. Core target audience is 7 -15 year olds. The typical reader is one that likes to follow a pop genre of music.

Target audience on cover – The specific targeting could be identified by the use of font and design of the masthead, this masthead is the classic Kerrang style which makes the title look like broken glass. Also on the cover there are bands from the music genre the magazine is based on this helps to target the specific audience. One last way in which targeting could be identified is the house styles and fonts used on the cover are relatable to each issue and this will entice any regular customers.

Target audience on contents and in article – the colours, fonts, and layout are that of the Kerrang house style this targets a specific fanbase of the magazine. The contents and article also use very bold striking images that will catch the readers eye and make them interested in reading the magazine