Digital and print magazine analysis Learning aim A

Digital Magazine

Purpose of NME

The purpose of a magazine is to entertain and inform, a music magazine is for readers to be updated on a specific genre of music, upcoming gigs, and interviews with musicians. Informing them on all things music. NME is a free magazine but still uses persuasive language and colour to attract readers to read about music. Film and style advertising products throughout the magazine. NME is available on digital and print, both having their benefits.

The target audience for NME

The target audience for NME includes well-educated fans of bands and new music. The average age of 17- 30. 73% and 27% female. NME readers depend highly on his magazine because it has in-depth knowledge of music, film and technology and fashion due to the weekly frequency of the brands advertised.

Pros and cons of a digital magazine

Pro’s	Cons
Cuts down print and ink costs which is a cheaper alternative and is eco-friendly for the environment.	You need access to the internet to download a digital magazine, which might be difficult to some customers.
Greater circulation and subscription potential since it is available worldwide and easier to share using social media and other messaging platforms.	It is difficult to scroll and zoom onto a device while reading a digital magazine.

Digital Double page spread codes and conventions

Masthead

The masthead reads ‘confidential on a bold black text which contrasts with the colour of the image behind it, making the words appear passionate. Intertextuality of the masthead being ‘confidential’ describes the article as being personal and intimate to the reader about the artists.

Main image

The main image is spread across both sides of the double page spread making it dominant. The artist the article and photo feature Lana Del Ray. The photograph features the artist in a busy background full of greenery. Lana herself is wearing a flowy floral cream dress the photo captures her movement. Making the overall outcome dreamy and tranquil, which reflects and relates to Lana’s Baroque pop music style.

House Style and colour scheme

The house style of the double page spread is simple but effective. The photographs use the direct address to engage the reader, using bold font colours and interesting headlines. However, the convention that is most dominant would be the colour scheme. In NME magazines, the colour of the text is completely different making the article the focus point of the magazine. It features and black text to stand out against the white border.

The colour scheme of the main image is most important, it consists of saturated cool tones, making the photo appear dreamy and psychedelic which reflects her music.

The Text

The text used on the main article is clear, simple and easy to read the text is split into two sections The article text on the left is in green text, which correlates with the main image using the same colour. It features information on Lana’s new album, which is the sell line for the article. Saying it is her ‘most ambitious yet’ also including Los Angeles, a place where the inspiration for her lyrics comes from. The article on the right is in a black, coordinating with the masthead it includes a drop cap, which is a large capital signifying the start of the article.  It features an interview including Lana talking about the studio she recorded her album once again the article then continues onto the other side of the page, making the reader continue on.

Target audience

The main target audience of the double page spread is teenagers and young adults due to her youthful image and style of lyrics which attracts the younger demographic. The article is aimed at both male and females as he is a popular artist more popular and gain more readers.

Digital Cover codes and conventions

The masthead

the masthead for this NME issue is minimal and simple. The large letters and are bold. Making it still recognisable but doesn’t distract and the magazine's other features, such as the main image. The colour is a dark navy blue that is also featured throughout the cover lines

Pug

The pug gives information about the content in the magazine and is usually in the shape of a circle. The pug used on this NME issue is significant since the cover is minimal, and lacks information about what’s inside, the pug shows what the magazine features music film and style in a large red circle with white circle, the red corresponds with the famous colour scheme of LME  and Lana’s outfit, making it the perfect colour for aesthetics an practicality.

Skyline

The skyline is used in this magazine cover. To advertise the company’s magazine, as well as the date of when its released. The text is small but is still noticeable and an important feature.

Main Image

The main image is the focus point of the magazine cover, the image is dominant and takes of the entire page, although the masthead is overlapping, the thin lines make it easier to see the image. The photo itself is the musician Lana Del Ray in front of a white, simple background making her stand out more. Elements such as the red embroider flowers on her blouse, is also used as the pug colour, and saturated tones which makes the colour schemed warm-toned. Her relaxed impression makes her look calm and collected, her eyes looking directly at the camera and audience.  The magazine uses celebrity endorsement as the reader will be enticed by such a well-known artist to the NME target audience as well as using a direct tone of address.

Sell line/Model credit

The sell line links to the central image and topic of the article which is Lana del Ray in capital letters, making it the second largest and important after the masthead, her name is in a bold and dark blue colour, the same as the other cover features which keep fluidity to the color scheme. ‘Wanted everywhere’ is a strong subheading, the use of words influences the audience making her seem desirable everywhere.

Print Magazine

Purpose of vibe

The purpose of a print magazine is to entertain and inform, the print is available in local supermarkets. VIBE is a leading entertainment and lifestyle brand delivering content across multiple distribution platforms to a culturally diverse audience around the world. VIBE continues to embrace its roots in music and chronicle the celebrities, music, and fashion. Culturally relevant events from hip-hop to modern day converging music landscape and informing the focused audience

Target Audience of VIBE

The target audience of vibe has a demographic is a young urban follower base of the hip-hop culture, aged between 18-34. 50.3% male and 49.5% female. The ratio between genders is almost equal, which means VIBE would appeal to a larger range of people compared to other magazines such as NME and Rolling Stones meaning an increase in success for the brand.

Pros	Cons
More comfortable reading experience since it is portable and has a physic appearance	Print magazines aim for one target, whereas online magazines are able to reach all
The print is superior to online when the online publication is unable to reach their audience due to them not having access to the internet, this also means no software crashes and is taken seriously by sources	Online publications can have up to 20 million visitors because it is free and is able to reach everyone. A print is dependent on subscriptions, therefore, reaching fewer customers

Front cover codes and conventions

Main image

The image for this print magazine cover is a famous artist, immediately attracting the attention of readers interested in the genre of music or fans of Eminem. This image is placed in the middle of the page, bringing the strong stance to attention reflecting his image to his music. The image is in front of the masthead making it dominant.

Mat head

The masthead of the VIBE magazine cover is bold large letters and continues the colour scheme of the magazine, red and black. These colors signify danger and strength which links to the main article about Eminem’s dangerous lifestyle.

Sell lines

There are a few other articles spaced around the front cover, which draws attention to the focused article, but also suggests there is a lot included. The magazine company needs customers to buy their products, so they have included many sell lines to attract the reader using persuasive language and quotes such as; literally almost died’ as well as the name of the featured rapper in a large bold font to draw attention.

Skyline

The skyline is used to advertise the magazine where they feature famous musician names associated with the genre of the magazine, this being currently famous rap artists. ‘The real rap’ is a strong phrase which captures the eye of the reader.

Target audience

The magazine’s target audience is aimed at fans of the specific genre being rap using a dark colour scheme, featuring a well-known rap artist, and using language corresponding to the rap genre. Eminem is a famous rapper, who attracts both younger and older demographic appealing to a bigger audience.

Double page spread codes and conventions

Main image

The main image on this double page is of the rapper Eminem. This image takes up half the page, signifying its importance. His posture and position are relaxed on the floor very casually. As well as wearing comfortable clothing making him appear as laid back. When the reader sees the image, they would instantly recognise him and immediately realise what sort of music he creates because of his clothing. even if they have never heard of him. His expression is serious and is looking towards the camera and audience, forming a connection with the reader.

Masthead

The masthead is EMINEM in allege bold letters, with ‘Marshall Bruce Mathers III’ underneath. The text is dominant and eye-catching since the white text stands out against the black background. The red E is backwards, which is his signature way of spelling it, allowing people to recognise him. The writing below of his full name lets the reader know he doesn’t hide behind his stage name, also linking to the idea of him opening in the article building a relationship with the reader.

Text

The text is white and has no need for borders or columns to make the page look busy and crowded. The is also no drop cap which adds simplicity. The text is easy to read and takes up half the page, also slightly shaping around the shoe. The red writing at the end of the article reads ‘continue on page 277’ separate from the rest making it stand out so the audience doesn’t miss it.

Quote

The quote is separate from the rest of the article as the writing is central, different from the other text with large quotation marks to draw attention to it. Using the word ‘truth’ is meaningful and suggests that he will open up to the article as he seems concerned.

Colour scheme

The colour scheme includes white, red, blue, and black. The white is used as it connotations of innocence which says a lot about hi possible content of the article, contrasting against the black background. The red draws attention to the specific part they want the reader to see, also reading to see, also using red and his shoes so the double page looks clean and simple. The photo’s background is black giving the page depth, letting the text and photo is focused on.