Why did I choose Kerrang! Magazine?
I chose Kerrang! due to the main artists that they publish in their magazines being similar to some of the artists that I want my magazine to focus on. Also because many people have a strong opinion of who they feature in their magazine therefore making it easier for me to see which artists would be appreciated within a magazine due to the reception of them in Kerrang!
Layout
I do not like the layout of this particular cover as I think that the large writing takes over the cover too much and does not let the reader focus on the artists within the magazine. Although this is so that people notice the magazine, I think that it could have been done differently with a smaller font! However, I do like that what would normally be down the left rule of third is at the bottom as it doesn't leave much space which is an aspect of a cover that I really like. Also, I like that you cannot see the mast head fully, yet you still understand what magazine it is, I think that this is a feature that only well known magazines can pull off, therefore meaning that I won't be doing so. I shall take what they have done with the 'plus' articles at the bottom of the page into consideration for something to do on my magazine as well as advertising the posters and main article within the magazine.
Images
Although you cannot see the images fully, I do like the poses that they are pulling as they have domineering facial expressions, yet they are proud expressions of them making it into the 250 greatest rock songs. I shall not be doing anything like that for my magazine as it is only a first issue. Also I like the smaller images at the bottom advertising the posters within the magazine. As well as the advertising of the posters, I also really like the images advertising the festivals that the magazine will be covering. I shall be doing this with my magazine due to recent festival announcements.
Font
I do not like the font of the advertisement for 'the 250 greatest rock songs of 2012' as I think that it is too large, even though it is an advertisement, I still don't like it as it takes up too much space. However, I do like the font used as it is clear and I may use a font similar to this for my magazine as it is effective and bold. Also, I like the way that all of the text are in capitals, it extends the connotations of a rougher genre of music as if someone were shouting, or screaming in some cases within this genre.
Colour Palette
The colour palette of the magazine is predominately yellow, red, white and black. I like this palette as it is individual to Kerrang! therefore the audience will recognise the colours if they were to purchase the magazine regularly. I also like the colour palette as it will appeal to everyone, and even though the colours are fairly bright, they do not take away from the rest of the page (such as images).
Layout of Contents
I do not like the layout of the contents as the columns are not big enough and the image takes up too much space than what is needed. I do not think that the layout helps the advertisement of what is inside of the magazine. However, if the image were a background and the columns over the image without the block white background then I think that it would look much better. Also, I do not like that the letter from the editor takes up so much space at the bottom and it could have been smaller and placed more to the right, and switched with the image at the bottom. I do like the banner at the top of the page stating that it is the contents page. However, I do think that the banner is too large and could have been shortened and the edge not as neat as it is, such as it could have been similar to the Metal Hammer contents title.
Images on the Contents
I do not like that there are not any images of what will be inside, and that there are only images of what competitions are within the magazine. I would prefer it if there were images advertising what artists were in the magazine. However, the image of Papa Roach would have been good for a double page spread as the male gaze from the band is good and effective as they have a stern expression on their face, but they still don't look too intimidating, which is good considering that they are advertising for a meet and greet. I think that the image of the editor was unnecessary and it could have been equally as important without the image, however I think that the contents needed the image or else it would have looked too boring.
Fonts on the Contents
The font on the contents are similar to what is on the cover as they are bold. However, instead of all the text being in capitals, only the important bits are in capitals, such as the artists names, and the rest in a normal font. I like the use of a plain, yet bold font as it is easy to read and with this genre of music it fits in well as the reader wouldn't want a fancy font or something to be in italics. I also like the different sizing of the fonts with highlighting the band and the competition with a larger font as it draws the eye of the reader to the competition which is something that I may use within my magazine.
Colour Palette on the Contents
The colour palette on the contents is the same as on the cover as it follows the basic guidelines that Kerrang! have with their basic structures which are included in every issue. I do not like that the image is really dark so that it contrasts with the background as the text as I think that it could have been done better as it makes the page look too plain. I shall not be doing this in my magazine.
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Layout of the Double Page Spread
I really like the layout of this as it is busy, but doesn't look messy. I think that the columns are effective as they are neat but because they are slightly off centre it works really well with the magazine. Also, I really like the layering of the images and text on the left page. I also really like the image as the background, with text over it. I think that I might use this technique within my magazine as it looks good and effective! Also, I like the positioning of the header of the DPS as it takes up space but catches the readers eye!
Images on the Double Page Spread
I like the large image on the background of the left page as it helps to tie the article together. Also I like that it is accompanied by other live images as it helps the reader to understand the article more. Also it is very effective as it is a remembering piece about Nirvana meaning that the live images will always be recognised and appreciated even more than normal live images. I also like the sizes of the images as they do not take up too much space, but you can still see the facial expressions. Also I like the decisions of photographs with the lighting within them, as you can get the atmosphere of the concert better. I really want to use some live images for my magazine, however, I don't have many images that I can use as they are mostly not acceptable for magazine purposes.
Font on the Double Page Spread
I really like the large font on the left page, I think that it really helps the article to be 'revolutionary'. I like that the word 'revolution' is in a different font to the other bold, yet recognisable font, as it expands on the revolutionary idea of the article. Also, I like the size of the sub-heading as it is not too large, but also contributes well to the article. The main font of the article itself is bold and plain, therefore I like it a lot as it would be easy to read. I may take all of this into consideration whilst making my magazine.
Colour Palette on Double Page Spread
The colour palette of the double page spread is blue white and black, I don't really like this colour scheme as it is too boring and pale. However, I like the use of three colours and the colour scheme does go well together, but the colours are too plain to use for my magazine as I do not think that my magazine would benefit well from these colours.
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