magazine research

Isabel Denney-Foster

music magazines

The masthead of this magazine

is recognisable due to the
contrasting and outstanding
colours. The bold and individual
design is unique to this
magazine so the readership will
be able to recognise this style
and relate it to the magazine.
The colour scheme all
incorporates the text
and relevance of each
topic.
Red, Blue, Black and
White.
The cover image shows
implication of revisiting
the Alladin Sane album
as a part of his various
alter egos he seemed
to alternate from. The
album was released in
1973. the date of this
magazine implies that
this magazine is either
trying to revisit a
relevance of the
Aladdin Sane ego state
or trying to uphold a
well known and
recognised image
which could increase
readership and buyers.

Almost collaborative cover lines with added information that refers to the issue of
magazine being marketed and sold. Its added information to be considered by the
buyer when reviewing and choosing the magazine. The information offers the reader a
better understanding of the product itself. Usually if the information is found on the
front cover the writing will contain mainly positive content. These cover lines follow
the same colour as the masthead but are smaller font size, this gives the impression
that they represent the magazine just as much but they are not meant to be more
memorable than the title.
Basic barcode and
information is included on
the cover.- not found n
the same place of ever
issue which is unusual. It
is obvious that the
position of the barcode is
dependent of the style or
layout.

The main cover line takes

up a lot of room in
comparison to the
masthead that is because
it is the main feature of
the magazine and,
therefore, the selling
point. In comparison to
previous cover lines the
font is very unique and
individual.
This little added line of
information as a small
subtitle gives the
audience an insight as to
why the artist is relevant
to this issue of magazine
and what is involved in
The
cover line does the
the issue.
job of the banner which is
supposed to stretch along
the page.

Main image- also acts as the back

Target audience- due to the
ground which shows an attempt/
dull, not very bright colour
idea to maintain main interest in
scheme and the uniform
the text and what is written. It has
layout of text with a balance
been edited to black and white
between the two font- this
qualities to make the colour
shows that an older audience
scheme much more accessible.
is intended to be aimed at.
The cover picture has been
The subject of the article is
planned to have the text move
an artist so obviously likers
between the two subjects. The two
and followers of the group are
subjects of the image entice the
a target audience as well.
reader because they hold a
favourable ocular position for a
reader but because of the lack of
A brief they
summary
of overwhelming.
the
colour
are not
article introduces the
text which followscertain words of this ae
in the colour matching
the title and it is
capitals- this draws a
reader attention and
communicates the idea
of this text being an
exclusive part of the
The design balance- is
article.
laid out so the text
balances between the
two pages- this
intensifies a uniform
structure. The text is
easy to look at and
appeals to the eye of a
reader.
Design principle- Flow,
Harmony and
compositional
movement have been
Page number along with mojo
taken into account
written to the side. Writing the
during the design of this
magazines name near the page
magazine- the flow is
number is relevant in case the page
consistent and easy to
becomes detached from the
read. The Gutenberg
magazine itself.
diagram has been
applied here because of

Masthead- Best of both worlds shows a fade of colour

which contrasts with the black and white. Is big in
proportion to the two pages and is spread over the two.
The colours used in the title manage to compliment and
show an element of vintage tone about the double page
spread. Is in capitals in order for the words to stand out to
the reader- However the title doesnt give us an insight as
to what the article is about which ay suggest that it was
an article that was advertised on the cover page, either
way it does make a reader want to read more.

Colour scheme- The colours

are very complimentary- the
idea that the photo is black
and white allows the colour
scheme for the text to be
easily accessible for a
designer. The colour Orange

House style- The overall

layout of text seems to be
thoughtful and planed,
taking into account the
image and how the
continuity manages to
remain concise. There is
very little text however
the text appears to be
uniformly lay out so that
the double page becomes
relevant. The fits letter I
in the whole article is a lot
bigger that the text found
in the rest of the articlethis acts a cue for the
reader, making it much
clearer where the article
starts, this is a common
feature in magazine
The text is shown in
articles.
paragraph but is not split
up to ensure the textual
element all flows- this
also communicates the
relevance and similarity
all the text has with one
topic- this format is most
likely to appeal to an
older age range as they
can maintain attention for
longer.

Use of TextThe text is a different

size and has subheading
to show that the
information that are
sections and is not
related to one another.
Connotation of
subheadings allows the
reader/ receiver to
understand the topics
that the sub heading
resemble. The numbers
are in a different colour
to section down the
relevance and relation
they have to the
information added. The
bright red draws
attention to the page
that the topic/ article is
found on- this makes it
easier
fordirect
the reader
Purpose/
mode-to
decipher
the
location
of
suggests that the
relevant
information.
purpose is to allow the
audience/ reader to
decide what they would
like to read. They could
choose between the
subjects or decide if the
magazine is for them by
looking at the insights of
the topics that the
subtitles provide.
This quote allows a small
insight to the article
which is clearly one of
the main selling storied
to the magazine. The
quote explains the
relevance to the picture.

Masthead- The name of the

magazine is Mojo- they have
included the title of the
magazine on the contents
page to mirror the cover and
create a sense of consistency.
The font is bold and in all caps,
it is in the colour white (stands
out on the grey)- All of these
element work together in
order to achieve attention.
The central position is an
appealing format to the eye of
Central
a reader.image- The text
follows the picture to the
structure in order to create a
sense of flow with the text.
The artist (Florence Welch) is
wearing plain clothing which
allows the red to not be
contrasted with on the pageThe red of her hair also allows
the red of the writing to be
made more of an influence on
the colour scheme.
The Subject- She is posed
facing to the right witch
therefore revels her left. Her
body is positioned in a
confident stance. The
conntotaions of the image
Selling
line- Itthat
is reasonably
may suggest
the target
small
because
it is not
the
audience/ majority
of the
priority
of
the
page.
It
is
image is either fans of the
structurally
set apart and
artist of women.
made more relevant with the
border lines. The font is lower
case which adds to the idea of
it being a less significant part
of the page. The colour fits in
with the colour scheme of
white, grey and red which
shows that it is not made to
stand out.

The masthead is simply the

magazine logo following the
usual colour scheme and it is the
usual top left hand corner.
The cover image takes up the
majority of the page, if not all of
it if it were not for the text
because it is the main article/
story in the magazine.
The centre cover line and
quotation found underneath
implicates that the main story
revolves around this topic and
that this is the selling point to
the magazine. The text offers an
insight as to what the magazine
should contain and this helps
the audience to deduct whether
that topic is suitable for them. It
stands out in hope to encourage
understanding and purchase.
The cover line is written in a
very unique and individual font
apposed to the bold, capital
letters of the smaller cover lines
and text. It is also in a similar
colour which follows the colour
scheme of the previous text.
Barcode and relevant
information like date of the
issues release and price is
included on the front cover for
easy to deduct clarification from
a buyer of a reader.

Over lapping main cover line

which draws our eyes from the
logo, indicating the importance
and relevance. Is in the
contrasting, outstanding colour
(white) which increases the
attention which is in intended
from the reader.
Another eye-catching piece of
text found in a puff which
mimics the presentation of a
picture- the brain can process
pictures quicker that text. The
numbers are the biggest items
of text found on the page other
that the masthead
More cover lines are found down
the sides of the cover page.
These are easier for a reader to
follow and understand what the
content of this issue of the
magazine manages to entail
because they are split up by the
red dashes (this follows colour
scheme). They appear to follow
a uniform pattern of the same
font and equal text. The font size
doesn't match the main cover
line which shows that the cover
image and this information do
not present a relevance with one
another.

Mast head- The mast

head is the logo or
Billboard, this features on
the cover of every
Billboard magazine. It is
written in white font to
contrast with the pink
background and,
therefore, stand out. The
font is straight forward
and easy to read, it also
shows an element of
formality. The subject of
the image covers the title
and the name of the
magazine which shows
that the magazine must
be popular enough for the
name to not be an
obvious read. The colours
of red, yellow, blue and
green allow an element of
neutral representation to
be shown on the cover of
The
quote is hand
written
the magazine
which
which
indicates
a
sense
of
makes it more susceptible
spontaneity
like
how
the
to be read by both
text
was spoke
genders.
spontaneously. The
reference to Beyonc's
earlier works allows fans
to make a deeper
connection as to where
she is know from. This
article of text is bigger
than others in order to
show a higher/ larger level
of importance wen it
comes to this section of
the cover page.- The
format is of an F layout
which works with the
reader's habits of reading

The main article/ Title- Is positioned as larger and bolder than

other text positioned on the page. This commutates the fact that
this has the most important inference on the page and that this is
the main story of the magazine. The feature headline is the name
of the artist shown in the main image and it is conveniently
positioned over the text allowing the audience to gather the
connection of the feature headline and the image.

The logo, which also ties into the theme of the

title//logo of the magazine- Explains the relevance
and advertises an event with a date. It also offers
additional information of a site for the audience to
visit if necessary.

Beyonc is wearing
clothes white tie in with
the colour scheme of the
background used for the
cover. The colours
compliment her as it
makes her face stand
out. Her skin tone allow
her to come across and
be presented as more
dimensional. The
colours used allow the
white to contrast more
and, therefore, stand out
further. The position
Beyonc has taken in
this photo shows a
sexual, alluring an
confident nature which
could attract certain
types of audiences- this
helps to support some
aspects of the male
gaze. She is looking
directly at the camera
which shows a sense of
connection between the
artist and the reader/
Margin
text/
Cover
linesaudience.
The
inclusion
offers
an insight
ascover
to
of Beyonce
on the
what
else is included
also indicates
that thein
the
magazine
as well
as
magazine
should
attract
the
fansfeature
of hers.article
advertised by the image.
These cover lines follow
the image and show a
sense of structure to the
magazines cover. The
White text continues the
theme from the mast
head, however the
yellow shows that the
articles/ information may

-genre
K-Pop

-other k-pop magazines

C
Ci

N
O
L
Y
N

E
D
I
M
O
R
B

COVER
The masthead is the easiest
thing to read on the page
due to fact of it being big,
bold and in capital form.
This makes the title more
memorable as well as the
job easier for the reader.
This puff suggests and
shows a relevance to
another article, the
contrasting colour yellow to
the colour blue draws in the
audience/readers attention
and therefore this indicate a
sense of importance and
relevance. The yellow colour
also ties in the clothes worn
by the subjects in the cover
photo.
The cover photo takes up
the whole page because it is
relevant to the main story.
In this circumstance the
main story is about the
group, therefore the picture
is of the relevant
group/artist.
The colour scheme aims to
tie the information as one
unit and help for the text to
flow.

More cover information

offers, in further reading,
a deeper insight to the
topic of further reading.
The main cover line has
been edited in around the
subjects of the cover
image to make it seem
more natural and less
edited, however it is still
easy to read. The cover
line allows the reader to
deduct what the main
article and focus of the
magazine will be. This
deduction allows the
reader to decide whether
or not it is worth the buy.
An individual way of
including more cover line
text, making it different
for a reader as it offers a
new style and outlook to
the magazine.
A barcode is included as
well as other, necessary
information for easy
access.

Use of textThe text is different size and the

subheadings are present to show
that there are sections to the
information on the page, this
conveys the appearance of looking
structured and uniform to the
reader of the magazine. The
numbers are placed on the page in
a different font and they are
slightly bolder to show the
relevance they have with the
information but also to differentiate
that that is the key area the text is
focused on. The boldness allows
the audience to decipher the
location of the relevant information
they are wishing to read.
Purpose and direct modeThe purpose of this section of the
text is to inform the reader of
where the location of each story/
article is. The choice remains
available to the audience for
them to target the specifics that
they would like to view because
of this easy access page. The
insights of the stories found next
to the page numbers allow the
audience to decide which story
appeals to them the most, and
therefore they can locate it. If rereading is the context behind
visiting the page it also makes
picking key parts/ stories out for
revisiting much easier for the
The images used on the page are the same artists used in
audience.
the front cover and this suggests that they are the main
feature and article. Exclusive content is suggested by the
images as they are scenes in current music videos that have
recently dropped by the artists (VIXX) in the photo.

-contents page

MastheadThe contents is written in

English to mirror the fact that
the title of the magazine
which is also written in
English.- this could be used to
apply a level of consistency to
the magazine. The English
could also be used as an
educational factor of the
magazine. The font is bold
and in all caps and the colour
means that it continues to
follow the colour scheme used
of the front page of the
magazine. The blue and white
combination come across as
quite soothing and the
separate elements work
together in order to achieve
attention.- this is therefore
appealing to the eye of the
audience/
reader.
These
nuggets
of information
found next to each of the
page numbers allow the
reader to view an insight of
the story that awaits them on
the page. The pictures help
the audience to link the
articles to a source and a
face. The brain processes
images a lot quicker that it
processes writing, this is why
multiple images are a good
thing to have on magazines
and as to why the main image
of the cover of a magazine is
so important to evaluate
when it comes to selling the
magazines. The pictures
communicate the entirety of

Main image- The images

used vary on the topics.
Each individual gets a
separate image. The style
coordinates with the layout
of each image, an follows
neatly with the concepts of
their albums. The pictures
are related to the music
video that the article refers
to and this is important to
the fans/ readers because
they will be able to
determine this and see it
MastheadThe name of
as exclusive.
the artist follows the
appropriate spelling and
graphology of there album
representation. It is in
black font and this helps
the text to stand out
against the white back
ground.
The design balance applied
to this text shows a level of
formality and easy to read
layout, the highlighted bits
of information help to
apply the exciting pieces of
text and keep the reader
reading. The layout does
indicate a level of attention
must be paid by the reader
because of the, slightly
uneventful, layout.
Smaller articles of the text/
subtitles help to offer an
insight to the rest of the
article, making it more
clear on the subject.

-double page spread

The side images offer an

appealing, related
representation of the
subject being spoken
about in the text. Sub text
below the images allows
the reader to go into
separate reading as it is
not connected with the
article/ main text.
Obviously the text is in
another language it is
difficult to evaluate the type
face, however the type face
can be seen as quite casual.
It is split into sections
however the sections are
large which imply that a
mature audience of reading
is being aimed toward. The
highlighted articles of text
attract readers to the parts
because they show an
element of exclusive
content, thus making it
more
for of
a reader.
A
briefexciting
summery
the
article has been offered
from the subtitle Welcome
Back. The is written in
English as apposed to
Korean to perhaps a suggest
a sense of individuality. It is
not uncommon for Korean
magazines to have small
elements written in Englishthis has been evaluated to
be because of educational
reasons or other things like
the fact it looks neat and
original.

sparkling

K
P
O
P
L
I
F
E

The main cover line is bolder

and in a bright/ contrasting
colour which makes it more
visible and memorable to the
audience/ reader. It take the
usual position at the top of the
page and the text is usually
always bigger to make it clear
that this is the title of the
magazine. The mast head is
the easiest thing to read on the
page as it is also in capitals
which makes this information
seem important to the reader/
audience. This element of
graphology makes the
magazine title more
memorable as well as offer an
The txt used in the cover lines
insight as to what the
appears to fit with a manicmagazine may be about.
neon/ acrylic rainbow colour
pallet. The outfits worn by the
subjects in the main image are
not necessarily wearing bright
colours. It is the background/
setting used in the photo which
communicates this bold/ manic
colour scheme.
The colours used are bright
and the titles are simplistic and
easy to read. These elements
working together communicate
a sense of the magazine being
aimed at a younger audience
who would be captivated by
bright colours and big letters
as well as to not have to read
too long articles of text.
The barcode is included as well
as other information (the date)
to make this issue easy to
evaluate and access.

Other text (cover line) is

positioned on the cover
of the magazine to offer
an insight into other
topics included in the
magazine. These are
made evident by the
bolder subheadings- they
are also separated
further by a use of
different colour. This is
done to determine to the
reader that these topics/
articles have no
relationship with one
another. The text is
structured into the main
picture in order for the
audience to still be able
to see the subjects of the
main image. The font
appears to be white on a
slightly black/translucent
banner. This is a clever
way of presenting added
The
main image
contains
information
as even
the
all
members
of
the
black would not be group
able
which
are the
main
to be seen
easily
on this
feature/
selling
point to
image.
the magazine. The colour
scheme within this
pictures follows NCTs
manic and original
concept ideas of being
young, free and nonconforming. The group
are positioned so that
each member can be
seen but an idea of
symmetry still remains
as they have placed
equal amount of people
of either sides of the
cover- this creates a

Colour schemeThe colour

scheme follows a
stereotypical
female colour
pallet. The colours
are quite soft and
feminine and this
conveys a sense
that this part of
the magazine is
aimed at a female
audience. The
colour scheme
cold have also
been used as the
subjects of the
feature article are
female and its fit
Page
number- The
with their
page
number is
concepts.
include in the
bottom corners of
the magazine to
create a structure
effect of
continuity for the
reader. It also
helps perform the
job that links with
the contents page
(informing/
showing where
certain articles
are located in the
magazine)

Text- The Title of the article is small however bigger than other
text fond on the double page spread. It is also in a very
outstanding Red which contrasts to the could scheme which
compliments the Double page spread. The further subheading
are also in red and this communicates a sense of separation
between the articles of information being presented here.

Highlighted boxThe block colour

surrounding the
text grasps the
reasders attention
and directs their
eye line to this
box of
information. This
bright and bold
article creats a
sense of exclusive
material and
make the reader
want to read that
certain item.
Images- the
images used vary
on the occasion
and the topic. The
main image is one
taken from the
latest album
cover released by
Girl's Day. This
offers a sense of
familiarity to the
reader as it may
be an article they
could recognise
the subject from.
The other images
used are exclusive
photos with name
tags attached,
this indicates that
this article is an
introduction of
the group to the
reader/ audience/
magazine as a
whole.

A SELCOUTH JUNTAPITC
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A
SELCOUTH
AASELCOUTH
AASELCOUTH
SELCOUTH
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SELCOUTH
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A SELCOUTH
AAJUNTA
SELCOUTH
SELCOUTH
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A SELCOUTH JUNTA
A SELCOUTH JUNTA
A SELCOUTH JUNTA

A SELCOUTH JUNTA
A SELCOUTH JUNTA

A SELCOUTH
JUNTA
A SELCOUTH JUNTA

I like this colour pallet as the

colours are bright however
they are soothing and work
together. These bright colours
would attract a younger or mid
twenties audience as they still
apply a sense of maturity.
I like this colour pallet because
they show natural colours and
each colour stands out
individually. The colours
coordinate because of their
viewed appearance in
everyday life in scenery.

I think this colour pallet is good

if you want to aim your
magazine at a younger
audience because the colours
are bright and appealing to the
eye. Because the colours are
bright they are stereotypically
associated with younger, more
These
colours
work together as
immature
audiences.
the yellow stands out from the
plain blue and grasps
attention. The blue creates a
soothing effect when
combined with white and the
yellow helps to contrast to
keep the attention flowing.

I like this colour pallet as it has

a soothing and calming effect
because of its soft and subtle
colours. This colour pallet could
appeal to an older audience as
the colours are not so bright
that they distract an audience/
reader.
This colour pallet is bold and
daring however I would not be
able to see this working on a
magazine- maybe a black,
orange and yellow effect may
work.

MALE STYLE

-male style
Fashion in Korea is very subtle
and casual. When Korean artists
are traveling they wear their most
casual clothes however when they
are present at awards events or in
their music videos that is when
they wear their most impressive
styles.
Depending on the concept the
groups hold they either matching
outfits or adopt their own style.
For example Infinite are a K-Pop
group and they are all wearing
similar clothes due to the concept
they adopted in a recent video.

In magazine articles
(dependent on the magazine)
artist tend to wear either all
matching clothes or very
subtle high end brands of
clothes.

The idea of adopting your own

style in the world of Korean idols
tends to be dependent, also, of
how successful the artist is- for
example BIGBANG are an
incredibly successful group and
they have actually all had at least
one solo release hit that hit
number one in Korea. They each
adopt their own style and explore
their own interests.

FEMALE STYLE
FEMALE STYLE

-female style
Female style in Korea is
innocent and loose. The body
type in Korea is petite. The
clothes are flowing items of
clothing which allow people to
have a sense of imagination.

When female artists attend award events

they go in outfits that coordinate with one
another so the idea of them being a group
and a unit remains evident. Sometimes
the production companies get in touch
with one another to see what other artists
are wearing so as not to avoid the
situation of turning up in the same
concept.

On magazine covers the idea of an innocent idol is

well respected as in Korea children do make drastic
changes to their body when they aspire to look like
one of their idols. That is why a calm, pure and
respectable look is sought after.

In comparison
to the western
world the
fashion
magazines are
less exposed to
the male gaze
as the appealing
qualities are
less spoken
about in society.