contents page deconstructions 2

The contents page of Q, a more pricey music magazine than the completion, is mainly aimed at students to older generations, as it mostly focuses on more older bands than modern bands,
people of an older age, don’t need a variety of colour of for the magazine to be over exaggerate, this is why Q have kept the style plain and simple but in an older style to attract a certain audience that are more interested in the contents than the actual style. The magazine complements the style of the buyer, classy, simplistic and mature. The layout of the magazine is unconventional because they aren’t a long list of information or directions and there isn’t a grid template. In my opinion, I think it is done very well, as the design is simple but effective as it’ll confuse no one. Staying with their unconventional style they haven’t dedicated a page to subscriptions they’ve only briefly described it. As the deal isn’t important they don’t want to keep hassling money they want the readers to enjoy the contents of the magazine. It doesn’t have an editor’s note either.

The contents page, has only one image that overpowers the page, this is unusual for contents pages. I think Q do this so they can concentrate on the main cover star, as this issue is mainly focused at the person. This will help readers as they can focus primarily on the musician rather than getting distracted losing their trail of thought whilst looking at an overpowering use of images that really don’t have a big impact on the magazine. This establishes who the real star of the magazine is and that is the musician in the main image. The reasons why many people would have bought the magazine for as he will have a huge fan base.

Q magazine uses a house style of colours red, black and white. They have done this because they don’t want to confuse their readers by changing the colour scheme of their magazine each week. They need to keep it the same so it keeps the magazine traditional and keeps intact their reputation and their identity. Branding the magazine is important, so keeping the same colours each week will help establish them on the shelves and as a brand. When people see red, white and black they will know it is Q magazine.


The quotes used within the sell lines are a powerful message that entices the audience. Due to the fact the quotes are humours but outrageous topics. This is nearly breaking the rules however, this is the reasons customers want to read on and buy it as it seduces them into wanting to know more. The quote ‘I fart in your direction’ brings conflict within the magazine, this makes the audience question so much and to find out the answers they must buy Q.

contents page deconstructions 1

The contents page is one of the most crucial elements that goes into a magazine, as it makes the costumers aware of what’s in the issue, what they will be getting out of it and directing them to certain pages that they want to read. This is helpful as it is away of communication between the editor and the costumers. As we can see value for money is being displayed through the contents page as it is jam packed with information, interviews and overall articles, at least the costumer will feel satisfied after knowing their money is being well spent.

The main image we see is from a living legend ‘slash’ who is iconic in the rock industry, mostly being known as the guitarist for Guns n Roses, many fans of guns and roses will be wanting to see their favourite guitarist however he has many admires around the world for his guitar abilities. Even though he is old it doesn’t scare of their young audience as he’s bring out new music for all fans to hear and as well as that they blend old musicians with new to give the readers a variety of choice. Allowing them to discover new music to them that they can thank Kerrang for; Kerrangs readers are mostly of a young with bot female and male being attracted to the magazine. This is shown through the sell lines.

Underneath the top assets of the page there is the strap line ‘Kerrang!’ they keep a reminder to the fans of what magazine they are reading so they can establish themselves on the shops shelves and identify them with an identity that people can associate with. Creating a brand means you create regular customers who come to the magazine just for the brand name ‘kerrang!’ this is helped by the use of black as it is seen as a heavy rock, gothic and metal genre look which most of their audience’s will be so we can easily identify a kerrang magazine by the colour black.

No matter who you like they have loads of bands that our featured in the issue this helps satisfy costumers as they tell us which bands will be featured and there is loads to choose from so there is a little something for everyone. This allows the audiences to discover new music and bands and allowing bands to get publicity that is much needed top make it in the music industry.

Within the contents page there is a brief column by the deputy editor which I think it amazing that the editor would like to interact with the audience and tell them what will be featuring through the magazine. This relationship is cemented by his signature this thoughtful expression will mean a lot to readers as they will be fans of the magazine and the work he does.

In the contents pages they give you benefits such as you can win a competition to win prizes, as well as offering costumers for their loyalty reduced prices if they subscribe. And after all that they even give you a gig guide so you won’t miss out on any band you wanted to see. All this thought will only make the consumers happy. I think it is a well-planned and thorough contents page. And if that is not enough to pass the time other than reading about music you can do the quiz. It offers so much. It even offers smaller images of images within the magazine and images of bands this will seduce the reader as they will be in for no scary surprises when opening the magazine fully.

magazine cover deconstructions 3

My first point about this issue would be the use of colours. The dominant colour scheme on this cover would be red, white and blue. Colours we associate with United Kingdom, through Carl’s career he has been linked to United Kingdom for not only being English but being very proud, this comes across through the cover. Merely showcasing his lifetime in music only through the use of colours. This British man is known worldwide, so along with NME, the nation are proud of him, his background, and that he has stayed loyal to his country.

This issue seems to be back tracking years, diving into the past of a lot of music and bringing it back onto the modern scene, for NME’s older audience this signals great news and as for their younger audience they can learn the roots of some of their favourite bands, and what inspired what they listen to as well as discovering bands which a magazines purpose is, to display all genres of music and to bring new musicians into the readers lives. With NME their target audience is anywhere from teens to an older generation. They have a mix of young and old, this is evident through the sell lines ‘Elbow Return’ meaning a band that were once together are now back as for the other sell line ‘ The future of Libertines’ a hot topic that the world wants to know the answer to. Will the libertines ever come back? A lot of people are wishing on it. So NME are the people that will answer all of people’s answers regarding the topic. This will seduce any audience but mainly libertine fans, they will come in their thousands and but the issue just to find out the answer will the Libertines ever grace the music scene once more. As well to show the contrast between new and old opposite to a sell line announcing the return of a band another sell line states that there is new guitar heroes ‘Britain’s new guitar heroes’

The main image, is in the centre of the cover, as it is the main attraction of the magazine the unique selling point so it has a right to be the biggest part on the magazine covering most of the cover. But the masthead is above the image. As NME also has the right to stand out as it is an iconic brand that has identified itself into the music world through many years more years than most of the musicians the issues today focus on. Therefore NME has an identity that all ages and generation can identify with. Let’s look to Carl the image of him creates intensity within the cover, as his eyes focus in on you, with his bright blue eyes we know this isn’t a warm hearted interview, in which we can tell there will be a lot of hot topics discussed. I believe this issue will create a lot of girls to buy it, just for the rock star on the front with bright blue eyes.

The main cover line has quoted Carl Barat “ I have a right to stay my story” therefore we know we are getting Carl’s point of view the point of view many are interested in. We know if he’s finally going to tell his story that it is controversial and opinionated and as we know the public love a good gossip and like to hear opinions however unkind they are.

at the bottom left of the page a sell line says plus so we k now we are getting quality for money, and in today’s economy state this is crucial as less people are spending on items they don’t need, however NME provide a bargain in which they make us believe it is a bargain my cramping as much as possible into the magazine. People have a right to get their money’s worth. Normally magazines are a last minute purchase whilst waiting in a queue to get served. However this cover makes you want to go out and buy it.

inspirational texts/mood board

preliminary task flat plans

This time I laced the main image on top of the page for the effect that it will get the viewers attention first as it is the most important part of the magazine and that is the person who the main image will be about should be the focal point and the main attractive of the weeks issue.

In the centre of the contents page I placed the text ' in this weeks issue' this is centre to anything that is involved in the magazine so it should be the heart of the contents page to show the key information to all readers to navigate them to other stories and contents. This is key to share all genre of contents so we can deliver something for everyone.

Upon the bottom, I placed competions and deals, this is a chance for the magazine to connect with aduiences to deliver something different from the ordinary magazine. Also theres an image of a different band so we can create many audeinces through different genres and intrests this will hopefully not make the magazine bisaed.

Preliminary task flat plans

I placed the masthead at the top of the magazine to capture the peoples eyes first, in which they could identiy the brand and know exactly what this magazine is and what it stands for. This helps to brand the magazine company and hopefully cappeal to the target audience.

The main image will be straight in the middle of the front cover for an effect of the audience to see who this issue will be dominently about, this will appeal to he or she's fans. The main image including the main coverline is the selling point of the magazine and is usally a unique selling point. Upon the main image there will be a quote to display what kind of interview will be featured within this weeks magazine, this will attract people with expectations of a great interview. In which they will not be dissapointed.

Coverlines, I ave placed on the bottom of the magazine to share more information that will feature. This will make readers believe they will be getting their moneys worth. As this magzine others so much more than any other competiton out there. This is important as the magzine will stand out from anything else. As we offer the best product with much more value for money.

magazine cover deconstruction 2

Lily Allen, known for her unqiue voice blending sweetly with the genre of pop has made her become a cult hero among the pop charts. So now lets begin getting into depts of this front cover.

Q is a music based magazine with a whole range of media coverage that excels the perception of only music. This is evident as it incites the readers to dive into the magazine by unveiling the 25 greatest rock movies. This breaches further into a whole different audience, for people who are interested in the filming industry however it creates a middle boundary for two interests, people who are into the genre rock music and others who are into movies these two interests can combine into a new audience for this article in the Q magazine.

The target audience of Q is teenagers’, young adults stretching to middle aged age group both female and male. This cover alone seems to be dominantly focusing on a male audience as it is a very revealing cover, one that is seductive but in a subtle way. Yet triggers the hormones of a lot of male or even female audiences’, this very attractive image of Lily Allen is the main image centred in the middle of the front cover to capture the eyes of people passing by or glazing upon the magazine. The style of the magazine is modern and simplistic. Sticking to a set colour pallet and using the same font in a range of sizes and colours creates a clean, organised looking cover. I believe that the magazine appeals to male and females, this issue especially, but targets a youthful audience with minimal text and sometimes complex and interesting. The cover suggests that we may see more of Lily Allen if we look into the pages of the magazine, however her body language such she’s protecting herself and doesn’t want anyone to see her exposed. This brings the emotion of sympathy in as we can only feel sorry for this pop star constantly in the spot light of the public eye. On the other hand she has to wild animals placed by her sides protecting her, these vicious and life threatening animals is a testament to her character as she is strong and has overcome so many struggles in life and comes out still fighting and strong as a panther.

 The main colours are blue, white and red this is linked with union jack flag especially as the sub headings display British bands that have dominant legacy’s around the world such as; Oasis, U2 and Stone roses. Plenty of bands covering a lot of genres to cater for any musical audience. The main stand out colour is black that contrast with the white naturally great, giving the cover an old fashioned look with modern stars featured on the cover. Q stay along the lines of the new dawn of music but keep their musical roots which audiences, band and the world of music respect as people don’t forget bands they once loved. It can be seen as old stars passing the torch onto new stars. As you know with Q magazine you will discover new exciting bands but the reason you went to the magazine is because they feature bands you already love. The font of lily Allen is basic but creates mass effect as it’s spread across the whole cover with the title of sexy beast in colours of blue and white that symbolizes tranquillity, peace with no harm what so ever this is opposite of the meaning of the word ‘beast’ this plays humours irony upon the cover. Although she is described as a beast she is naturally a lovely person that is indicated by the colour choice and font. There are no harmful indications through text. ‘Sexy beast’ is a use of both oxymoron and metaphor, it displays both sides of her character one that is seductive and desirable but one that is harmful like an animal, and this takes the human out of her. The masthead is top right corner of the page, this is where it is naturally is. It forms an image and brand audiences’ can identify with this, this is used to make the magazine noticeable as our eyes go firstly to the right hand corner. When we see Q we know what we expect, and that is music. Q is in red and white, a very romantic and caring colour, suggesting a bond between the magazine and audience. It’s a fact red is the first colour a human eye sees does this mean Q is the first magazine we see upon a shelf. Maybe this is the answer to their success.

The camera shot is a worms eye view, displaying a dominant figure of Lily Allen, in a powerful situation as we are looking up to her, like all her fans may possibly do. The audience now sees her from an idolising angle. This can only mean Lily Allen is at the top of her game, the biggest stage of her career being successful in the music industry. This would mean she is gaining more fans that would buy Q just because she is featured on it. On the cover there is repetiton through the word ‘wicked’ being said twice to describe Lily Allen are we in for a devilish interview with the hot topics of her life this may excite readers as Q are going to give what other magazines aren’t, clear truthful factual pieces of controversial topics of Lily Allen being described by her.

There is a blue plus sign to say Q have so much more to offer you, this seems that the readers get their money’s worth as they are getting value for money, which is a big plus on their behalf especially in this decreasing economy where money is dominant and tight. People don’t like to spend often and much. With this magazine the strap lines display more articles and bands that are in the magazine, this is a teaser for what will be in the magazine.