Aspects of theory to do with audience

Audience Profiling

A target audience profile (TAP) is a written and very detailed appraisal of your customers' characteristics, attitudes and behaviours. TAP information typically falls into 2 categories: demographics and psychographics.

- Demographics describe who your customers are. The most frequently used demographic variables include age, gender, occupation, location, marital status, income, education level, and nationality.

-Psychographics describe why your customers act as they do. For example, you might determine that you have price-sensitive customers who choose the least expensive option, or trend-conscious customers who prefer the newest, most fashionable option, or early adopters who are open to choosing new, unproven options.

Audience profiling allows an organisation to make better decisions regarding their customers, and the way in which they market and sell their product/service. A TAP will allow an organisation to decide on the most suitable and effective way to communicate and connect with their target audience.

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Audience Demographics

Audience demographics are audience statistics regarding socioeconomic factors such as age, income, gender, occupation, education etc. Demographics are often used in defining a target markt and so are a very important aspect of media planning when it comes to matching the media with the target market.

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Uses And Gratifications Theory

Blumler and Katz's uses and gratification theory suggests that media users play an active role in choosing and using media. Users take an active part in the communication process and are goal oriented in their media use. The theorist say that a media user seeks out a media source that best fulfills their needs. Uses and gratifications assume that the user has alternate choices to satisfy their need. Blulmer and Katz's theory states that individuals might choose and use a text for the following purposes:

-Diversion - escape from everyday problems and routine.

-Personal relationships - using the media for emotional and other interaction (e.g. substituting soap operas for family life).

-Personal identity - finding yourself reflected in texts, learning behaviour and values from texts.

-Surveillance - information which could be useful for living (e.g. weather reports, financial news, holiday bargains)

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Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology that argues that while people aim to meet basic needs, they seek to meet successively higher needs in the form of a hierarchy. This theory was published by Abraham Maslow in 1943 and the theory still remains valid today.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is often represented as a 5 tier pyramid, explaining human needs in the order in which they take precedence.

Q DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD ANALYSIS

Colour

Black and dark red/maroon are the main colours used on this double page spread, however there are also elements of green and teal. Red and black were also used for the front cover and contents, and so by using them here it helps the magazine to flow, as would be expected with a high-quality magazine. The dark red is used for the background of the image and is only subtly noticeable. Much of the rest of the image consists of black, as well as shades of dark brown on the skin of the black man in the photo (50 CENT). The teal colour is used to separate the text and highlight certain aspects such as the artists name, 50 CENT. The black and dark red portray to the reader a sense of darkness and mystery. The black covering much of the page creates a hard, masculine representation, which will appeal to mature men that the magazine is mainly aimed at.

Design

The image covers just over half of the double page, and the text occupies the rest. The left side, where the text lies, appears to be divided roughly in half horizontally by a thin teal coloured line. Above the line is the title; below the line is the main text. This arrangement resembles a newspaper, making the page appear tidy and sophisticated, therefore giving it a high end image that will appeal to the type of person interested in Q. To the left of the title is a block of green, this looks like a kind of index marker and helps to make the page look more formal. The type of font used is a typical 'times new roman' style which also makes the page look formal and sophisticated. There is a short, yet shocking quote from the artist, positioned in the bottom right corner of the image, there to entice the reader to take interest in the article.

Images

There is one huge image used that takes up over half of the double page. The image is of singer/rapper, 50 Cent. The target audience (mature men into rock/indie) may have heard of 50 Cent but may not necessarily like his music, as it is totally different to the main genre, rock/indie, that Q magazine usually focuses on. The photo is an extreme close-up of 50 Cent's face, with a small amount of the plain red/black background visible. His expression is harsh and the use of an extreme close-up makes the image powerful and intimidating. This image will relate to the male target audience who might be, or want to be, seen as strong and powerful. The overall darkness of the image makes him appear dangerous and mysterious. Anyone who knows of his background will understand why he has been represented in this way, and anyone who maybe hasn't heard of his past will get a good indication from the quote at the bottom. The shadows on his face and the direction of his stare (out to the reader) add to the overall dark and dangerous representation.

How are words used on this double page?

The title on the page is a rhetorical question instead of just a statement, and so makes the reader feel important and involved. The majority of the text is in a very small font size and is arranged into 2 columns underneath the title - this arrangement resembles a newspaper, making the page appear formal, which will relate to the mature target audience. There is a shocking quote in black text on a white background (positioned over the image) which is obviously visible and should attract the reader, making them want to find out more about 50 Cent.

Language

The word 'hell' in the title is in italics which brings emphasis to it, making it stand out as a dramatic word. Also, 50 Cent has had a tough life, full of struggle and pain, and the word hell is often used when referring to traumatic situations. He very much has a 'bad boy' image which is portrayed through this title. There are huge letters at the beginning of each completely separate paragraph, which like the font type and size, also resembles a newspaper, adding to the formal appearance. The sub heading, 'The artist also known as "Fiddy"' addresses the target audience as it is likely that they may not be familiar with the name 50 Cent and may find that referring to him as "Fiddy" is more recognisable.

Overall impression

This double page spread is clearly aimed at someone sophisticated who takes music seriously. This is shown through the newspaper like set-up of the page, as well as the language used. The language addresses the reader in a way that suggests that the reader does not really know who the extremely well-known young artist, 50 Cent, is. This will appeal to the more mature target audience that Q magazine is aimed at, as they probably do not really know much about such a current artist who does not produce music in the indie/rock genre that Q mainly focuses on.

Q CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS

Colour

The colours used on the Q front cover remain the core colours of this contents page - red, black, white and grey. Red again appears to be the prominent colour and really brings the page to life. The contents spreads across 2 plain white pages which is realtively unusual, as often the contents will only occupy a single page. The impression that the colours create is again classy, and the vibe you get is very similar to that of the front cover. There is a thick red band running across the top of the page that contains the title, 'Q Contents'. The use of red here shows the reader that this is the main title. This same red is seen underlining headings across the page, helping to emphasise their importance in comparison to some of the other, less significant text on the page. The majority of text is in black, giving it a smart, neat appearance.

Design

The centre of the double page contents is occupied mainly by images, with the text arranged either side. On the left-hand side is a column titled 'features', listing what unique elements there are in this weeks issue. On the right-hand side there is another column listing the regular elements found in the magazine. There is also a small section at the bottom to the right, titled 'THE Q REVIEW'. This arrangement causes the reader to be drawn towards the images, making it clearer and more obvious just what is inside. The images all vary in size and overlap in places, giving the illusion that the magazine is packed full. The font type is a typical 'times new roman' style, and the size differs depending of the texts level of importance - for example, the headings are in larger font.

Images

There are many images on this double page that represent what this issue of Q has to offer. The largest image is of Cheryl Cole which is not surprising considering she was the main focus of the front cover. The photo of her is in black and white which suits the overall representation of the page well. She is dressed in clothes that you would usually associate with rock culture - a dark top covered in spikes, sleeve gloves, slit leggins and studded heels. Also her make-up is dark and her expression harsh. All of this portrays the indie/rock theme of Q. Her pose is also quite sexy which will appeal to the target audience (mature men). Also, Cheryl's arm is protruding from the border of the photo, overlapping with the red band at the top of the page. This shows that she is an important feature, as well as giving the page a more 3D appearance. Another image that overlaps with the red band is a photo of Holly Johnson. Holly Johnson is more likely to be recognisable with the target audience, mature men, as he was at his most successful many years ago and so young people may not know who he is. Holly Johnson's expression and pose is strong and powerful, which is how many men would like to appear. There is shadowing surrounding the border of the image to again reinforce the 3D appearance. By making the page appear more 3D, the reader will feel as though the celebrities that they idolise are within reach.

How are words used on this page?

The title 'Q Contents' is in white and black on a red background. The target audience will be familiar with the word contents and so will know what to expect from the page. 'Issue 283' is also positioned at the top of the page which will appeal to mature readers, as it shows the high amount of issues released, which suggests Q is a high-end quality magazine. The text is all neatly arranged and the headings make the page easy to use. There is quite a lot of text which suggests the type of reader is someone mature and intelligent. The headings are in bold font and are underlined in red to make them stand out. Most of the headings are short and give a clear indication of what pages are included in the magazine. The page numbers are positioned to the left of each heading, making it clear and easy for the reader to navigate from the contents. There are also numbers that vary in size arranged next to and on top of the relevant image.

Language

The headings are all relatively basic, however the summaries that follow use slightly more sophisticated language. By using the word 'REGULARS' as a heading, the magazine can relate on a more personal level to loyal audience members who have purchased the magazine before. The word is also often seen and heard when referring to the regular customers of a pub or bar. Stereotypically we think of mature men as the main type of people that regularly visit pubs and bars, and so using this word helps the magazine to relate to this targetted age group of males.

Overall Impression

The page overall has a smart, yet busy layout. You get the impression that the page has been designed for a more mature, sophisticated audience, however it does still very much radiate a modern and current vibe. The random, overlapping arrangement of images suggests the magazine is packed full and so someone who has a great interest in music will be more than engrossed. The rock image is portrayed through colour as well as the images and headings showing both current and past successful artists. This allows the magazine to relate to people of various ages (as well as the obvious target audience) who all have a passion for rock/indie music.

Q FRONT COVER ANALYSIS

Colour

The main colours used throughout this page are red, black, white and grey. These colours, in particular red, are often associated with love and passion, and are often seen as sexy. This is definitely the impression they create on this cover. The bright red used in contrast with the black works perfectly in portraying the sexy, classy image the magazine is trying to create. The use of such a vibrant colour, red in this case, helps the magazine to really grab the attention of the audience. The target audience - mainly mature men who take music seriously - will be particularly attracted by the use of these colours, black usually being seen as masculine and classy, and red as sexy and sophisticated. Mature men will want to feel they are buying a classy, high quality magazine and this is certainly portrayed through colour.

Design

The cover is very conventional - a close up image in the centre, surrounded by text. The title 'Q', price and main features are all positioned in the left hand third of the page. This arrangement is typical of a conventional magazine, as these common features are key in attrracting the audience and so it is very important for them to be visible when the magazine is stacked on a shop shelf. The image is of an extremely well-known artist, Cheryl Cole, and lies centre on the page. The title covers a small section of her head, this causes the recognisable Q to stand out further to its target audience who are probably familiar with the magazine. The text is arranged either side of Cheryl Cole's face so not to draw attention away from her, as she is clearly the main focus in this issue. There is also a huge heading that runs across the page below Cheryl Cole's face. The overall positioning of all of the text gives the appearance of a frame around her face. A similar style of font is used for the majority of the text on the page. The style appears kind of gothic and gives off a dramatic vibe. Some of the text is in a more modern, much thicker font, which I believe has been done as this particular text is for some reason more significant. The core colours are used for all of the text however this use varies.

Images

The only image featured on this page is a close up of a very well-known, successful singer and sex icon, Cheryl Cole. The image is very dark and dramatic looking, and is clearly based on the film Sin City. The background as well as much of her face is relatively dark and dull. This causes her bright red lips to stand out, immediately drawing the eye to her mouth. Cheryl's lips are parted slightly, her teeth are vissible and her toungue reaching out to the metal ring at the corner of her mouth. This pose is very sexual and is likely to appeal to the target audience. Also, by using Cheryl Cole the magazine is able to attract a wider more varied audience because she is currently a huge success and so by featuring her many younger people will take an interest. As well as this, unlike the usual audience that consists of mainly men, women may take an interest as many women are likely to aspire to be like Cheryl. In the photo her eyes appear dark and narrow, giving the image and element of mystery which should entice the reader. There is water falling over Cheryl, in the way that rain would fall (as is seen in the opening of Sin City) - this increases the level of sex appeal as well as helping the image to relate to the genre of music, indie/rock.

How are words used on the cover?

The title 'Q' is simple, blunt and easy to remember. The white letter (Q) on the square red background stands out significantly, and in some ways resembles a stop sign. I believe this has been done so that it has a similar effect to that of a stop sign, stopping the audience by abruptly grabbing their attention. The strapline is in white font on a black background - these 2 colours contrast harshly. There are several artists/bands mentioned on the cover which gives the reader a good indication of what is inside. The main heading that grabs the attention of the audience reads, '3 words... / CHERYL COLE / ROCKS'. This heading is noticeably larger and more significant than any other. The heading is central and runs along the bottom, spreading over 3 lines, as you read from line to line down the page the text increases in size drastically. The colour and style of the font also changes - red, white, red. This heading also contains a clever play on words as the first line, '3 words...' is referring to the 3 words that follow (CHERYL COLE ROCKS) yet it is also the name of Cheryl Cole's new album. This heading along with the title will be able to be read from a distance and so should catch the eye of the target audience from a shop shelf.

Language

The strapline, 'THE UK'S BIGGEST MUSIC MAGAZINE', certainly addresses the target audience who take music seriously and will want the very best magazine, in order to fulfill their needs. The 2010 positioned at the top right-hand of the page should also help in attracting the audience as it shows that the content of the magazine is current and 'up-to-date'. The list of artists/bands running down the left side should also grab the reader's attention as the artists/bands features should appeal to the target audience. Also, there is a silver pug containing the words, 'John Lennon's lost weekend', which should also appeal to the more mature reader (the type of reader targetted) as John Lennon was a member of the Beatles - who were a hugely successful band many years ago - meaning that younger people may not have the same level of interest in the story. Above the pug, in bold silver font it reads, 'THE 10 BEST NEW ACTS', this stands out as being the only text on the page in this colour. The statement made will certainly appeal to the target audience, as the type of reader targetted is likely to have a serious attitude towards music and so will want the 'best', most recent stories.

Overall Impression

Overall the magazine appears to be a very classy, high quality magazine. The colours and font type are mainly what portray this. The clear focus on Cheryl Cole immediately indicates what the magazine contains. Her expression is serious and sexual, appealing to the mature male audience the magazine is usually targetted at. It is clear that this magazine would not appeal to a much older audience as the majority of its content is very current, and stereotypically people of a certain age are less interested in current music. At the other end of the scale, young children are also not likely to be attracted to such a magazine, as the sophisticated colours may suggest to them that the magazine is too advanced to be suitable for their capabilities.

KERRANG DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD ANALYSIS

Colour

The core colours used on this page are black, white and red. These colours appear to have been used on this particular double page spread as they are often used when trying to dramatise an important piece of information. KERRANG has used these loud, powerful colours here to emphasise the importance of the story. Much of the page is in black and white - including the images - with only a few key aspects, such as the main heading, highlighted in red. This black and white theme makes the page look classy, as well as helping the areas in red to stand out to the reader as being of more importance.

Design

The images cover roughly 2 thirds of the double page, whilst the rest of the page consists of a black background covered in text. The images each have a small black box on them containing a humorous caption relating to that particular image. These witty comments will relate to KERRANG's young target audience. There is a small, tab-like box in the up left-hand corner that contains the word 'NEWS' in bright red font. This gives the impression that the story is current and important. The title is in huge font and covers a vast amount of the left side of the double page, as well as overlapping slightly with the main image. The words 'HUNGER' and 'BACK!' in particular stand out, as they are in very large, bold capital letters. The main text is mounted on what appears to be torn out notepad pages. I really like this design feature as it separates the text from the rest of the page in a clear and unique way.

Images

There are 3 images on this double page spread, all in black and white. Using black and white images not only makes the page look classy, but also helps the red parts of the title to stand out in contrast. All 3 photos seem to have some sort of musical theme, which reinforces the magazine's focus on music. The main image spreads across a large section of the page and includes all of the band members. The band in the photo are quite young and are dressed in casual clothing, which makes them look like ordinary people and not at all intimidating like famous musicians can sometimes look. This will appeal to KERRANG's target audience as they will probably be able to more easily relate to people who don't look too different from themselves. The image is not at all serious, the band members look as though they are joking around with one another which suggest the article is going to be enjoyable to read and probably humorous. Below the main image are 2 other, much smaller photographs. In one of these photos, one of the band members looks as though he is screaming into a microphone, whilst in the other image another band member is playing a guitar. This helps to again remind the reader that the article, as well as the magazine as a whole, is about music.

How are words used on the cover?

The title is in huge, bold red and white font, and is positioned on the left side of the double page. The words 'HUNGER' and 'BACK!' in particular, stand out significantly, suggesting what the article is about, without giving away too much. This catches the reader's eye, enticing them in to read the article. Another phrase that really catches the eye is, 'BIGGEST YEAR YET...', in white font, highlighted in red. This is a section of the statement that follows the title. This choice of words makes the article sound more exciting, leading the reader to believe that what they are about to read is going to be amazing. The use of capital letters for these 3 words only, also helps to dramatise it. The main text is all arranged on 3 scruffy looking notepad pages. This fits in well with the ordinary, laid back impression that you get from the images on the page.

Language

The language used is all quite enthusiastic and dramatic, helping the reader to feel excited about what they are reading. This will appeal to the mainly young target audience who probably don't want to be reading an article that has been written in a serious manor, as many young readers are likely to find that boring. Also, the actual amount of text on the page is very little, which again suits the younger members of the target audience, as it gives the impression that the article is going to be short and to the point, instead of dragging on over several pages.
The title is in speech marks, and looks as though the band are talking directly to the reader on a personal level, helping to address the reader by making them feel involved. Also, the use of capital letters gives a loud impression, resembling the genre of music that KERRANG focuses on.

Overall Impression

Overall, this double page spread is well suited to the target audience KERRANG is aimed at. The magazine is not as high-class and serious as some other music magazines, instead it is more of a fun and easy read. This is clearly shown through the use of a large title and mutiple images, together with little text. The humorous nature of the images and the enthusiastic style of language give the double page an element of fun, which will appeal to the relatively young, wacky target audience.

KERRANG CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS

Colour

The main colours used are black, white, red and yellow. This differs from the front cover, as the core colours pink and blue are not anywhere to be seen on the contents. This surprised me as I expected these colours to feature on the contents, to represent flow and continuity throughout the key pages of the magazine. The use of yellow seems to be the main focus on this page, as it is used in contrast with black for the particularly signifiacnt headings. The pairing of these 2 colours (yellow and black) I feel has been done to create a sense of danger because yellow and black are often seen together on warning signs or in threatening situations. This fits well as rock music can often be associated with darkness and danger. The black is used for the majority of smaller text on the page and is used in contrast with a white background. These 2 colours are also used for the ever recognisable title, KERRANG. However, the colours are used in the opposite way - the white is used for the lettering and the black for the background. This allows the title to link closely with the other text on the page, yet still separate itself as being of more importance. Red is also used, which is interesting as it is another colour that can also be associated with danger. It is used mainly to draw attention to the page numbers listed.

Design

There are 3 main images that take up the upper half of the magazine. Two of the images are pictures of double page spreads featured within the magazine. The other image is of a band (Soundgarden). This image is the largest on the page and clearly stands out to the reader. The photo being in black and white fits in well alongside the core colours. There are white tabs positioned over the images, identifying who and what the image is representing and where in the magazine it can be found. This makes it clear for the reader, aiding them to easily navigate to the page they are interested in. The images are each surrounded by a thin white border and overlap in places, not only with each other but also with the heading 'CONTENTS'. This gives the images a 3D appearance, causing them to stand out and also creating the impression that they are within reach. The lower half of the page consists of mainly text listing what else the magazine contains. There is a thick black strip dividing the page in half horizontally which allows the text to neatly be contained in one main section. Within the strip the well-known KERRANG heading can be seen as well as the words, 'THIS WEEK' in bold yellow font. This summarises what is being listed below. There are still a few small images in this lower section, however they are not very prominent in comparison to those in the upper half. One image however does stand out as it overlaps onto the band of black separating the page. This image is of the editor of the magazine and for this reason should stand out as the summary written by her that follows the image acts as a kind of synopsis informing the reader. The font used is bold, much like something you would see on a sign, which works well as the purpose of signs is to grab peoples attention, much like the purpose of a heading. The use of font and capital letters again suggests a loud theme as seen previously on the KERRANG front cover. The text in yellow particularly stands out as it is bright and vibrant and the lettering appears kind of worn and grainy, in some ways like graffiti. The colour red has been used to show the page numbers and to identify the cover stories. Choosing to use this colour makes the page numbers stand out clearly to the reader.

Images

There are several images randomly scattered across the page however the main images are positioned in the upper half of the page. The largest image that appears to be the overall main image is of a well-known band, Soundgarden. The photo is in black and white allowing it to link in well with the overall colour scheme of the page. Soundgarden are a grunge band that have just returned from a 12 year long break from their musical career. Featuring the band after their extremely long absence gives KERRANG a unique edge to draw in its rock/grunge target audience. The band are likely to appeal to the target audience as a whole - the full age group targetted (late teens - early 30's). The reson for this being, the older audience members will be excited to hear of the return of a band they are likely to remember from their younger years, whereas the younger audience members will also be intrigued to find out more about such a legendary band, who's music they are yet to experience. The band all look quite serious, as if to say they are back and they 'mean business'. Their style is plain and simple which could be seen by the reader as saying that image is not what is important here, as their music will speak for itself. Their pose portrays a feeling of dominance and strength, which suggests to the reader that the return of this band is important and not something to be overlooked. The other images on the page mainly focus on other features of the magazine through simply showing pictures of double page spreads and posters that can be found inside. These images are showing featured artists that will also appeal to the target audience.

How are words used on this page?

The words on this page summarise clearly the content of the magazine. The stories in this issue are listed in small yet bold text. The list contains headings that are blunt and to the point, drawing the eye in through the use of thick, bold font. Many of the small headings on the list are names of bands that will interest the target audience. The font type and size is larger and differs in colour for the segment headings (FEEDBACK, NEWS, etc). This breaks the list up making it more reader friendly when looking for a certain story. There is also a small pug containing the Word 'WIN!', followed by the prize available. The text colour is different from the rest of the list and so stands out, fulfilling its purpose which is to attract the audience in through the possibility of a unique opportunity.

Language

The word 'CONTENTS' immediately stands out indicating to the reader what the purpose of the page is. It is a word that is used constantly in reading material and will be very familiar to the audience. As well as this, the word and the way in which it has been represented also complies with the overall bluntness of the page. This is also the case with the headings 'KERRANG' and 'THIS WEEK' that can be seen running across the centre of the page. Throughout the contents it almost seems as though the title and headings are being shouted at to you. I think the use of colours and capital letters are what portray this, as well as the 'to the point' language used.

Overall impression

The page clearly states what is inside and in some ways looks as though it is warning the reader on what to expect, again referring to the previous comment i made on the use of colours that are often associated with danger. It is obvious by looking at the features listed just what type of person the magazine is aiming to atract (someone in their late teens - early 30's, passionate about rock music).

KERRANG FRONT COVER ANALYSIS

Colour

The core colours used on this cover are pink, blue, black and white. The pink and blue bring a sense of vibrancy to the page, drawing the eye in. Pink can be seen as a colour associated with girls, where as blue is often associated with boys - this stereotypical view shows that the magazine is aimed at both genders. The type of blue and pink used may also be associated with rock, as the colours are loud and out there, much like the music itself. Black is also seen throughout the cover, contrasting harshly with the vibrant pink and blue, adding a feeling of darkness that again is stereotypically associated with hardcore rock music.

Design

This cover is clearly more conventional than the NME, as positioned down the left third of the page are several headings and pictures regarding the content of the magazine. The pug is also positioned down this third of the page and so informs the reader of a 'MEGA' competition that is likely to appeal to them. Often, people buy magazines due to the possibility of winning a competition alone. Also, the recognisable Kerrang K from the main title can be seen in the left third and so allows the audience to easily identify the magazine on a shop shelf. There is a close-up image of Ville Valo in the centre of the cover, which is a typical feature of a conventional magazine. The other images are much smaller and surrounded by borders, which makes Ville Valo stand out as the main focus. The lettering is thick and bold, particularly for the title and the word 'HIM'. This causes these two words to stand out significantly in comparison to the other text. The same font is used throughout and all words are in capital letters. This gives the cover a loud energy.

Images

The main image on the cover is a medium close-up of Ville Valo from the band HIM, and is positioned in the centre of the page. Ville Valo is dressed completely in black up to his face and has black hair, which causes the focus to be drawn to the face alone, making it appear more prominent. His eyes are a pale green colour and for this reason stand out against the core colours on the page. Not only the colour but also the direction in which they are looking invites the audience in. Ville Valo is looking directly into the camera which gives the illusion that he is looking out at the reader, allowing him to connect with the audience on a more personal level. He has no visible make-up on and the majority of his hair cannot be seen, helping to draw emphasis to his expression. He has a harsh, serious look on his face which is often associated with the rock culture. The word 'HIM' is one of the largest on the cover and clearly indicates who the image is of. By using Ville Valo (a member of a famous rock band) as the main image, the magazine is able to attract its target audience - older teenagers - people in their 30's into hardcore rock music.

The other images on the page are advertising other famous icons featured in the magazine. They are of a much smaller scale and clearly far less important in relation to the main image of Ville Valo.

How are words used on the cover?

The title is in chunky white font against a black background and stretches across the top of the cover. It looks patchy and rough, portraying an edgy feel, much like the 'rock' image itself. There are thin black lines running through the text giving the appearance of cracked glass, which suggests a 'loud' theme throughout the magazine. There are thin white lines running along the top and bottom of the black strip containing the title, separating it from the rest of the cover, causing it to stand out. The strapline is in white capital font against a vibrant blue strip and informs the audience on an appealing feature within the magazine. The core colours and typical bold font is used for the many headings. These headings are usually followed by a short summary in a different coloured, much smaller font. All the text used is in capital letters, contributing to the 'loud' theme. The headings tend to be very short and to the point, so not to 'bore' the reader. In most cases the headings are stating artists that are featured in the magazine, which gives the reader a good indication of what is inside at first glance. The text surrounds the page, leaving the centre free, so not to draw attention away from the image of Ville Valo.

Language

The language used is very blunt and gets the message across to the reader in a simple, yet loud way. The artists are advertised through headings of simply their names, which stands out, attracting the target audience. The use of words and phrases such as, 'THE FULL STORY!', '...SECRET WORLD' and 'PARAMORE - FACE THEIR TOUGHEST QUESTIONS EVER!', all lead the audience to believe that the magazine is unique and one of a kind - one not to miss! Also, the main story about Ville Valo from HIM is promoted in a font different to that of the other headings and summaries on the page, emphasisng its importance.

Overall impression

The front cover gives the audience a very good indication of what is inside. The language suggests to the reader an original outlook on some of their possibly favourite artists. It is designed to appeal to people who are maybe a bit 'out there', people who love rock music and the well-known rock bands of today. I believe it is aimed at people between the ages, late teens - early 30's, as many of the bands featured are current and so are more likely to appeal to a younger audience as apposed to an older, less 'up to date' audience. The dark, crazy impression the images portray, represent just what type of person the magazine is aimed towards. It is clear that people interested in other types of music, such as pop and R&B, are not addressed, as the overall impression of the cover shouts rock! The edgy feel also makes it apparent that the magazine is not suitable for younger children.

NME DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD ANALYSIS

Colour

This double page spread has used several main colours - black, white, green and grey. The majority of the text is simply black and is shown on a white background. There are however a few exceptions, for example, the artists name (Maya Arulpragasam), is in a sort of olive green. Also, her first name Mia is again shown in a different colour - white this time - spreading across the image. Roughly 2 thirds of the double page is taken up by the image. The image incudes many other colours, the ones that stand out the most being the bright pink on MIA's lips, and the luminous green outlining her sunglasses. The rest of the colours on the image are relatively dull and plain. These 2 particular colours (bright pink and luminous green) are often associated with nightclubs and therefore loud, upbeat music. These vibrant colours draw the eye to MIA's face and give the impression that the article is going to be fun, interesting and as expected musically focused. They also give the page a cool, modern feel, attracting the target audience - young people interested in current artists.

Design

The text is all neatly positioned in columns down the left third of the double page. The image is kept completely separate and occupies the remaining 2 thirds of the page. This gives a tidy, professional appearance, suggesting the magazine is high quality and that the content is therefore trustworthy and believable. Using a huge image makes the page appear more interesting, as it gives the illusion that there is less to read which is likely to appeal to the target audience. This is particulary the case for younger audience members who may find a page taken up mostly by text, boring. The font used appears to be a typical smart, 'times new roman' style and is conventionally arranged in columns. This also gives the page a neat, professional appearance. The main points and quotes are positioned above and bellow the colums and are in a much larger font, causing them to stand out. There is no obvious main title which I find unusual, however the image still makes it clear who the article is about. As well as this there is a small heading in the top right hand corner reading, 'ALBUMS OF 2010', which indicates the purpose and content of the article. The numbers in the heading are contained in different coloured circles. These colours can be seen in the image and so link the whole double page together nicely.

Images

The only image is a photo of the artist, MIA, in what appears to be a music studio - there is a keyboard on a desk in the background which suggest this. This choice of location is perfect for a music magazine (for obvious reasons) and will appeal to the target audience who will have purchased the magazine due to its specific focus on music, and who also probably desire to be working in a music studio like MIA. The chrome grey/silver which is seen in much of the photo portrays a modern, classy image. Using MIA in the image will help the page to relate to the target audience as many audience members are likley to aspire to be like her, as she is currently a successful artist. The different shapes of the objects in the photo make it look more interesting and give a greater sense of depth. The cylinder shape surrounding MIA in particular gives a 3D illusion.
The expression on MIA's face may be seen as somewhat sexual, mainly due to the slight parting of her bright pink lips, that allows a little of her teeth to be revealed. This same pose is often seen in images of artists, as well as in music videos. The reader's attention is particularly drawn to the lips as they are not only noticeably brighter than much of the rest of the image, but they are also the only main facial feature that can be seen, as her sunglasses cover up a large proportion of her face. MIA's sunglasses have very dark lenses which prevent her eyes from being visible, this creates a sense of mystery which will draw the reader in. Also, sunglasses are often seen as a 'cool' accessory and so are well suited to the type of young and current audience the magazine is trying to appeal to.

How are words used on this double page?

The main text is packed neatly into 2 columns that run down almost the full length of the page, making it look formal and professional. There is no obvious bold title, instead there is a brief caption above the 2 columns that vaguely summarises what the article is about. This font is slightly larger than the font of the main text, so that it stands out in comparison, as a summary usually should. It is positioned at the top primarily because it should be the first thing that the audience reads. The same font size is used for a quote at the bottom, below the columns. Both the summary and bottom quote appear to act as sort of 'book ends', neatly containing the main text. There is a heading in the top right hand corner; 'ALBUMS OF 2010', that reminds the reader of the focus of the magazine and suggests what the article is going to be about.

Across the image is the word 'MIA' in huge font, this acts as a sort of title informing the reader of who the artist in the photo is. There is a green circle around the letter M which is also seen around the number 2 of 2010. This links the 2 together, helping the page to flow.

Language

The short summary at the top of the page is used to introduce the reader to the artist and by mentioning her main hit, 'Paper Planes' the target audience should be able to easily recognise just who Maya Arulpragasam is. Much of the text is too small to be visible unless the magazine is in close range. The Quote at the bottom, "We have to explore our faults and flaws and be proud of them. That's what my album's about", is powerful and is likely to attract the target audience.

Overall impression

Overall, this double page spread portrays a young, modern feel, the colours in the image giving off a funky vibe. The musical location represents the target audience and reinforces the musical theme that is running through the magazine.